Fears are growing that three popular beaches could be rated 'poor' when new water quality results are published next month following a sharp rise in bacteria levels.

The Environment Agency (EA) has confirmed that recent spikes in Dymchurch, St Mary's Bay and Littlestone "will count" when classifications are updated in the coming weeks.

Testing results for September showed worrying increases in the amount of intestinal enterococci (IE) - a bacterium which indicates the presence of human waste - at all three sites along the Romney Marsh coastline.

The classifications, based on a rolling four-year data set, are due to be published at the end of November or early December - and will remain in place for a year.

Dymchurch and Littlestone are currently rated 'poor', meaning do-not-swim warnings are in place, while St Mary's Bay holds a 'sufficient' rating.

Cllr Tony Cooper (Lab) fears the sudden surges could jeopardise efforts to improve the area's bathing waters.

"It is disappointing that recent spikes caused by heavy rainfall could affect results," said the Romney Marsh ward representative.

"However, the EA needs to do more as the guardian and watchdog.

"People should not be penalised through no fault of their own."

Cllr Cooper added that while the ratings system is based on long-term data, it should be reviewed to reflect exceptional conditions.

"I am personally not happy about the algorithm used by the EA, it is clearly not fit for purpose," he said.

Dymchurch saw readings jump to 290 colonies of bacteria per 100ml of water in September, having not risen above 55 since May.

Littlestone recorded two extreme spikes of 2,200 and 1,700 colonies in early September before dropping back down to 220 by the end of the month, while St Mary's Bay also surged to 350 colonies before later improving to 27.

Under current EA standards, a bathing water rated 'poor' means it has failed to meet the minimum sufficient threshold.

To achieve a 'sufficient' grade, levels of IE must stay below 185 colonies per 100ml on a 90th percentile basis - meaning September's high results could prove damaging.

Earlier this year, traders in Dymchurch said the poor rating was a "worry for the future" - but urged people not to be put off visiting the village.

Mark Woolls, who runs Dymchurch Amusement Park, said there was still plenty for families to enjoy besides swimming.

"You don't have to stay away because of the water," he said in August.

"You can still paddle, you can still walk in the sea - you just can't swim underneath it."

In a statement, a spokesman for the EA said "the elevated levels" recorded in September "will count towards the overall classification for this season".

"Dymchurch is a priority bathing water for local EA teams this year, and we will continue to work with partners, water companies and local authorities to improve and protect water quality," they said.

The agency confirmed no further samples will be collected this year as the bathing water season has now ended.

Officials believe heavy rainfall at the start of September was the likely cause of the sudden spike, washing pollutants from farmland, roads and drains into the sea.

They added: "Pollution comes in many forms, from bad plumbing, oil and fats poured down sinks, and animal waste, to run-off from roads and farms during wet weather."

Southern Water, which operates treatment works and sewer systems in the area, insists the spike was not linked to any overflow or discharge events.

A spokesman said: "There were no overflows in this period and as far as we can ascertain no planned discharges."

The company says it is carrying out CCTV inspections of "high-risk" sewers, investigating possible misconnections, and sampling local waterways to "better understand" where contamination is coming from.

Bosses say extensive improvement work is also underway at Dymchurch wastewater treatment works, which includes ultraviolet treatment of its final effluent.

"Bathing water quality is as important to us as it is for our customers," the spokesman added.

Folkestone and Hythe District Council says it is continuing to work with Southern Water, the EA and other partners to "identify and resolve" issues affecting the coastline.

Beaches classified as 'poor' must display signs advising against bathing for the following season, although this does not mean they are closed to the public.