ENVIRONMENT Agency officers believe that an oil spillage in the River Lostock on Sunday came from a nearby industrial estate.

The fuel leak, of red diesel, was reported to the Environment Agency's emergency hotline by local residents on Sunday evening.

And agency workers rushed to the scene, in the Moss Side area, for the clear-up operation.

One resident, who reported the spill, said: "I was walking my dog near the river when I noticed a strong smell of fuel and the water was a strange colour. I called the Environment Agency immediately."

Some of the diesel, which is dyed red to indicate that it is tax exempt, was caught in a permanent boom which has been installed across the river as a precautionary measure. Steve Broughton, Environment Agency spokesman, said: "We placed further booms further down the river, because the rain had made the water level rise.

"This contained the spillage, which was then sucked from the surface of the water by special pumps."

He added: "Around 1700 litres of the diesel has been reported lost, but not all of this may have leaked into the river.

"That isn't a particularly large amount, and so far there is no evidence of wildlife being affected."

The agency is now investigating the incident.

Mr Broughton added: "Officers believe the diesel has come from a nearby industrial estate, but are still carrying out tests.

"Although the impact on local fish and birds wasn't huge, we still consider this to be a serious incident."