SEWAGE levels at Aberdour's Silver Sands Beach were found to be 50 times over the safety limit when it was tested last month.

The contamination recording was carried out on August 17 after storms hit West Fife and has led to Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath MP Neale Hanvey calling for more communication from the authorities.

At the time, Fife Council erected signs warning against bathing but they were removed days later after further tests by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) found that contamination levels had reduced significantly.

Mr Hanvey has written to SEPA requesting an immediate update and has demanded that all local representatives are kept informed about sewage breaches in future.

“As restrictions ease, folk are beginning to use our beaches more, so this is really concerning news," he said. “It’s simply not good enough for the community and local representatives to be left in the dark about such a serious level of sewage pollution.

“The fact that SEPA is warning folk not to swim at these beaches for a couple of days after heavy rain gives you an indication of how serious this can be.

“Beaches like Silver Sands are the pride of the community, and we must do everything we can to make sure they stay that way.”

Iain Fleming, chairperson of Aberdour Community Council, said he would welcome improved communication when such incidents occur.

"It would be better if they could let us know in a more standard fashion," he said. "It was not unexpected. The rainfall was extraordinary and it is not unexpected if that is how the system copes with it.

"I would much prefer that they did regular testing so results like this which are done once or twice a year don't linger."

A spokesperson for SEPA said the routine samples taken on August 17 showed elevated levels of bacteria.

“As a precautionary measure, SEPA contacted the Fife Coast & Countryside Trust and they erected signage to advise against bathing and paddling," she said.

“Additional samples were taken by our specialists on Thursday 20 August which showed bacteria levels had reduced significantly. As such, we advised the trust that the signage could be removed as we did not believe there was an ongoing risk in bathing in the area.

“As a precautionary measure, we took further follow-up samples on Monday 24 August. These samples indicated the water quality had returned to excellent condition.

“We have investigated potential pollution sources in the vicinity and Scottish Water has carried out an inspection of all relevant assets but no issues were found.

“One of the biggest impacts on the water quality at bathing waters is due to the weather, especially heavy rain such as Scotland experienced recently.

“Bathing is not advised during, or one to three days after, heavy rainfall as there is a risk that water pollution may occur. This can be as a result of urban and agricultural run-off and sewerage sources.

“Anyone who is concerned about a potential pollution incident can report this via www.sepa.org.uk/report.”