Investigation into 1,000 dead fish in fishing lake

Fish have been dying in the fishing lake near Roke, Oxfordshire, since the end of October

The Environment Agency (EA) is investigating what it has described as a "devastating" pollution incident which has caused the death of around 1,000 fish.

Several species of fish, including what the EA described as "large and valuable" carp, have been dying at a small fishing lake in the hamlet of Rokemarsh, near Wallingford, Oxfordshire, since the end of October.

They were discovered by members of a fishing club who told the BBC at one stage they were finding around 200 fish dead per day.

Thames Water, which has been undertaking work to fix sewer issues in Rokemarsh, said it was aware and investigating.

Martin Pugh, from fishing club 10 Trees, said he first noticed dead fish rising to the water's surface at the end of October.

"That's carried on [since], and we've been carrying, picking fish out and waiting for the big ones to float up".

Fellow club member Les Bond said it was "very upsetting".

"Each day I go round and scoop out these fish," he said. "I've never seen anything like this".

Martin Pugh (L) and Les Bond have been picking out dead fish from the lake since October

The EA said: "We responded to reports of dead fish at a pond at Roke, near Wallingford, on 28 October to investigate what killed around 1,000 fish, including large and valuable carp.

"Initial water samples showed normal results for levels of dissolved oxygen, but specialist officers are undertaking further analysis to identify the cause of this devastating loss of fish."

The BBC was shown numerous small fish floating on the lake's surface. Several large carp lay nearby in bags after being removed.

The lake, previously a man-made watercress bed, is fed from an underground spring. Its outlet eventually feeds into the River Thames.

Mr Pugh said they were now waiting for the EA to continue testing before they would be able to restock and resume fishing.

Thames Water said it was aware of the incident and was investigating alongside the EA.

"Thames Water takes its responsibilities to monitor and maintain its wastewater network seriously and understands the concerns raised by local residents," it added.

The lake, near Rokemarsh, Oxfordshire, has been used by the 10 Trees fishing club for the last 10 years