Dead fish were not killed by milk

Investigators have ruled out milk as the cause of river pollution which has killed more than 100 fish.

The cloudy white substance appeared in a 1.9-mile (3km) stretch of the River Ellen, in Bullgill, Cumbria.

The Environment Agency was called in to investigate on Sunday after a member of the public spotted a number of dead fish floating in the water.

Fisheries and ecology officers are also investigating the source of the pollution which has now eased off.

Trevor Marsh, of the Environment Agency, said: "The pollution seemed to have stopped by late afternoon.

"Given the appearance of the river, we initially believed the pollution to have been milk.

"However, our early investigations do not confirm this. We'll be continuing our investigations to identify the substance and the source.

"The total number of fish killed is known to be in excess of 100 at this stage. Ecology officers are at the scene."