River Don fish reach former spawning grounds

The pass allows fish to swim over a previously impassable weir

Fish could reach traditional spawning grounds in South Yorkshire for the first time in over a century through a "fish pass", experts have said.

Work has been completed on a £300,000 project on the River Don at Meadowhall allowing fish to swim over a previously impassable weir.

Don Catchment Rivers Trust said fish have not been able to swim upstream since the weir was built 150 years ago.

The new pass could lead to greater diversity in the fish population.

Karen Eynon, from the trust, said: "Fish have been returning to the Don over the last 30 years thanks to huge improvements in water quality."

Fish and eel passes act like watery staircases allowing fish and eels to swim or wriggle their way over a weir.

Ms Eynon said the pass would help a range of fish species, including salmon, to swim further up the Don.