Thousands of people protested in central London demanding action to clean up Britain's rivers and seas.
Environmental activist and singer Fergal Sharkey and adventurer Bear Grylls joined the 'March for Clean Water', backed by groups such as Greenpeace.
The protesters are calling for a review of the water regulator Ofwat and the Environment Agency, and for tougher enforcement against companies that break existing anti-pollution rules.
River Action said there were around 15,000 marchers, the BBC reports.
Many held placards reading "Tides, not dirt", "Stop littering" and "Water for life".
Jenny Linford, a 61-year-old writer, told AFP: "It's disgusting what has happened to our water since the water companies were privatised. It is absolutely unacceptable that more and more sewage is flowing into Britain's rivers, lakes and seas. We're here because we want to stand up for water... and simply say to politicians 'please act'.
Last month, the new Labour government drafted legislation that will give regulators the power to impose tougher penalties, including jail, on polluting companies and their executives. | BGNES
