POLLUTION experts are investigating the River Darwen at Blackburn after a chemical leak killed up to 200 fish.

The fish are thought to have been killed by a detergent-type substance which left masses of foam on the water and affected a three-mile stretch.

The dead fish were spotted by Harry Riding, whose son Edward owns M and R Services on Calico Street, Ewood.

Mr Riding was taking his grandson Daniel Greenwood down to the river to feed the ducks before the garage opened.

"We saw two big fish dead, and lots of small ones," he said. "Daniel is only six and he was quite upset about it."

An Environment Agency spokesman said a pollution control officer had taken samples from the river, which were being analysed.

"A detergent-type material seems to have got into the water and it has caused some foam and froth on the water," he said.

"About three or four miles of the river has been affected. We do not have any figures for the number of fish killed yet but we are looking at about 200, mostly minnows but some trout."

He said the water level in the river was fairly low because of the recent dry spell but added that rain yesterday afternoon would help dilute the pollution.

"It is not a huge amount anyway and it does look worse than it is because of the foam but if we can trace the source of the pollution we will be looking to take action," he said.

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