A POLLUTION incident which killed at least 100 fish in a Pendle river is being investigated by the Environment Agency.

A member of the public raised the alarm after spotting dead trout floating in Earby Beck, which runs through Sough Park, near Earby. The woman said the water had turned an orange colour.

An Agency officer was immediately sent to the scene and investigations into the source of the pollution were continuing today. It is believed the incident may have happened on Monday.

An Agency press spokesman said: "Because we were alerted to this late the pollution had dispersed. There were dead fish in the river. We are looking at industry and other outlets into the river to try and establish where the pollution came from and we will be carrying out a biological survey of the area."

Environmental protection team leader Stuart Jenkinson appealed for anyone with any information to call the Agency's hotline on 0800 807060.

"We need to find out exactly how this happened and would appeal to anyone who could help us to get in touch immediately," he added.