Agency called in for fish rescue

Hundreds of fish have been saved by officials from the Environment Agency at a watercourse in Cambridgeshire.

The rescue operation took place after more than 500 other fish, like roach, pike and perch, died at Moreton's Leam, Whittlesey, through a lack of oxygen.

Staff used oxygenating equipment to save the others, after being alerted to the problem by a passer-by.

The cause was put down to low pressure during intense thunderstorms which removed oxygen from the water.

Manfai Tang, from the Environment Agency, said: "More than 500 fish were killed due to lack of oxygen, however more deaths were prevented by our prompt response, which only happened due to a quick report made by a member of the public."

Moreton's Leam is located in the Nene Washes and is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and is home to the spined loach fish.

Anyone who sees dead fish, fish in distress, or pollution in rivers and streams is asked to call the Environment Agency as quickly as possible rather than leaving it to the end of the day, or the next day.