THE recent pollution of the River Leadon near Dymock caused the death of an estimated 15,500 fish, the Environment Agency has revealed.

The Agency has described the incident as "one of the worst pollution incidents on a watercourse in the Herefordshire and Gloucestershire area in the last 10 years", and investigations are still ongoing.

The Agency is now considering how best to restore the badly-affected river and its wildlife to its former state.

An Environmental Agency spokesman said: "The pollution has significantly affected seven miles of the River Leadon catchment and, following electro-fishing surveys, it has now been estimated that 15,500 fish have been killed. "We have also carried out environmental surveys and invertebrate sampling to understand the impact of the pollution on lesser species in the river."

The spokesman added: "Our fishery experts are deciding the best course of action to restore the fish stocks in the watercourse. They will work with local fishery owners who are understandably concerned. This process will be ongoing for some months and we will be working with those responsible to prevent a similar incident from reoccurring."

There could be legal action against those responsible for the pollution.

The Environment Agency spokesman said:“Because of the on-going investigation and the fact we are still considering our enforcement response, we are unable to give any further information at this stage.”

Species killed by the pollution included brown trout, chub, eel, dace, roach, lamprey and bream.

The Environment agent is monitoring the system "using remote technology".

The pollution incident took place on Friday, July 22 when there was initially a report of pollution in Preston Brook, near Dymock, which is a tributary of the River Leadon.

An Agency spokesman said: "One of our officers immediately attended the site, identified the source of the pollution and stopped it.

“Our teams have since been working with local farmers, communities and partners to reduce further impact to the environment and, now the pollution has dissipated, to work on restoring the river and returning it to its original state."