Young salmon released into rivers

The salmon seem to be thriving in the river

Nearly 200,000 young salmon are being released into two Staffordshire rivers in a bid to restore salmon stocks in the River Trent.

The fish will be released into the Dove and Churnet, tributaries of the Trent.

It is hoped they will stay in the rivers for two winters before journeying out to sea. Eventually, they will make their way back to the Trent.

The Churnet was traditionally a salmon river but populations declined as a result of industrial pollution.

Environment Agency spokesman Mick Buxton said the fish had been missing from rivers for many years because of disregard of the environment.

"We have a duty to help re-establish the salmon population for future generations to enjoy, whether it be for angling or to just witness the sheer determination of salmon jumping up a weir," he said.

It is the 10th year the Nottinghamshire-based Trent Rivers Trust has reintroduced the fish into tributaries of the River Trent.