A region of South Devon has been advised to boil their tap water after an outbreak of cryptosporidium, which causes vomiting, diarrhoea and stomach pains.

A number of people in Brixham have been impacted and the boiled water advice from South West Water includes residents in the South Devon fishing town, as well as Boohay, Kingswear, Roselands and North East Paignton.

A total of 22 cases of cryptosporidium have been confirmed and more than 70 others are under investigation.

Cryptosporidium is found in the intestines and faeces of infected humans and animals. The outbreak can be caused by drinking contaminated water, eating contaminated food or swimming in contaminated areas.

A spokesman from South West Water said they were working with health professionals to monitor the water and an investigation was started on Monday.

​Conservative MP for Totnes Anthony Mangnall said: “It is enormously frustrating that South West Water weren’t quicker to respond at the first point at when this was reported.

“It started with an initial denial that it was anything to do with their network and of course they have now found the cryptosporidium is in their network and they are responding.

“Residents were quick to actually point out there was something wrong with the water, they could taste it, and now they are suffering.

“What I want to see is for them to address the problem, fix it as quickly as possible and make sure the support for residents is there both now and into the future so they can have confidence in their drinking water.”