A public notice sign erected on a Thanet beach informing people not to enter.Image source, Chris Smee
Image caption,

Thanet District Council said it is trying to determine the source of the oil deposits

ByHsin-Yi LoSouth East
  • Published26 minutes ago

Eighteen beaches in Kent have been closed after "significant deposits of oil" were found along the coastline.

Popular tourist beaches at Margate and Ramsgate are among the areas affected by the spill.

Thanet District Council (TDC) reported the incident on Wednesday evening. The source of the oil has not been identified.

The local authority said the decision to close access to beaches "had not been taken lightly".