'No swimming' warning as dead swans found in river

Eye Bridge near Wimborne is popular with kayakers and paddleboarders

A kayaker believes "something terrible" has happened to a river where he has seen high numbers of dead fish and dead swans.

Hector Sainsbury, who regularly uses the River Stour at Eye Bridge near Wimborne, Dorset, said he took one sick swan to a rescue centre after finding it on Sunday.

The National Trust, which owns the land, has put up signs near the bridge warning people not to swim there.

The Environment Agency said there was no sign of pollution or dead wildlife at the site and water quality tests were "within expected ranges".

Hector Sainsbury regularly kayaks on the River Stour

Mr Sainsbury first noticed a "chemical smell" about four weeks ago.

He said: "We found one swan that had passed, then we found one that looked particularly unwell, laid out on the bank, and we managed to get it to a local rescue centre.

"The numbers could well be in the hundreds of [dead] fish that I've seen in the last few weeks."

The area's new MP, Vikki Slade, said she visited the site and spoke to fishermen and paddleboarders.

National Trust signs warn people against entering the water

"There were rumours of a very strong smell and rumours of children being sick after using the river," she said.

"If this is a pollution incident, we need to make sure those people are held to account.

"If this is a natural steady decline, we need to get the experts to help us understand how to make our river alive for wildlife and safe for people to use," the Liberal Democrat MP added.

Mr Sainsbury reported seeing dead swans as well as hundreds of dead fish

The Environment Agency attended on Sunday and Monday but said: "Samples show all water quality field tests were within normal and expected ranges for the water course at this time of year."

A National Trust spokesperson said: "We are aware of reports regarding the water quality at Eye Bridge and are liaising with the Environment Agency and Wessex Water in this regard.

"Notices are in place advising people not to swim in the river."