There were nearly 4,000 instances of sewage being discharged into Bolton’s rivers last year.

Research carried out by The River Trust has collated all the instances where the sewerage network discharged treated sewage and overflows of untreated sewage and storm water into rivers the borough.

The issue of sewage being poured into rivers was highlighted this week after a “shocking” video showed raw sewage being pumped into the sea.

United Utilities' multi -million pound investment to reduce 'storm spills' in Bolton

The video was filmed by Martyn Craddock near Splash Point in Seaford, Sussex.

There were at least 3,841 similar incidents in 2021 that the trust has compiled and entered into an interactive map.

It has warned people to avoid entering the water immediately downstream of the points on the map, particularly if it has been raining.

It is legal for United Utilities – the water company accounts for the vast majority of these incidents in Bolton - to discharge sewage into waterways.

A United Utilities spokesperson said: “During storm conditions, when sewers and treatment plants are operating at full capacity, we are permitted to spill excess storm water from storm overflows to help prevent the flooding of streets, homes and businesses.

“Over the past twenty years, United Utilities has invested £1.2bn improving storm overflows to reduce the amount and impact of spills.

“We know there is always more to do and playing our part to improve the health of the region’s rivers is very important to our customers. This is already well underway and, by 2025, we will have invested £107m on improving 61km of rivers in the Bolton area.”

United Utilities' multi -million pound investment to reduce 'storm spills' in Bolton

Bolton West MP Chris Green said: “There are concerns and problems with how our sewage and water are managed. More needs to be done by the organisations and companies responsible.

“Standards have actually gone up significantly, but more can be done.”

Campaigners point to a vote in October last year when 265 Tory MPs voted to allow this practice to continue, of which Mr Green and Bolton North East MP Mark Logan were two.

It has since become something of a political hot topic.

Mr Green said: “There is a lot of misleading interpretations of a parliament vote from a few years ago that was brought in by the Duke of Wellington.

“It is estimated that his proposal would cost £5-6bn to deliver. That would have gone on everyone bills and I’m not sure that has been discussed by activists.”

Tonge Fold residents disgusted with the state of the River Tonge

Labour’s MP for Bolton South East, Yasmin Qureshi, said: “That there have been almost 4,000 instances of sewage discharged into Bolton's rivers in the last year shows the disdain the Conservative government have for communities and towns like ours.

"Our green spaces and rivers should be kept to the highest standard, not neglected and filled with sewage.

"The Labour party have consistently sought to bring forward amendments and legislation to stop this happening, yet the Government have consistently voted it down, which tells you all you need to know."

Mr Logan has been approached for a comment.