Pollution investigated after 100k fish deaths

The Environment Agency said fish appeared to be behaving in a normal manner after more than 100,000 were killed this week

Pollution that caused the death of more than 100,000 fish at a park has "passed through the river", the Environment Agency said.

Officers from the agency have been at Ferry Meadows in Peterborough to monitor the situation this week.

On Wednesday Chris Park, from Nene Park Trust, which runs Ferry Meadows, described it as a "sickening" sight.

The agency said fish were now behaving normally again.

Initial tests showed the pollution was not caused by sewage, the agency said

Initial tests found it was not caused by sewage pollution but further tests are ongoing.

The trust feared the death of more than the 100,000 fish could have a "devastating impact on future breeding".

Mr Park said: "It's heartbreaking to see these fish.

"I have been with the park for almost 34 years and this is the only the second such incident I have come across.

"It's going to have a devastating impact on fish population."

The agency said samples were being fast-tracked to try to establish the cause of the pollution.

A spokesperson said: "Environment Agency officers have been on site monitoring the situation and are continuing to investigate the nature and the source of the substance that has polluted the river.

"We ask that people stay away from the area until further notice, and dog walkers do not allow their dogs to enter the water."