The Trent and Mersey canal in the Stone, Staffordshire area has fallen victim to a cyanide spill killing thousands of fish.
Environment Protection officers believe the fish kill has been caused by a discharge of cyanide. Officers are currently trying to identify the source of the pollution.
Environment Protection Manager for the Upper Trent Area, David Lowe, says: ‘Although the levels of cyanide are unlikely to affect humans and other mammals, the Agency has discussed the incident with the Health Authority, Staffordshire Emergency Planning Officers, Local Authority Environmental Health Department and British Waterways and a precautionary warning is being issued to the public advising them to keep themselves and domestic animals away from the canal.
‘We will be conducting further analysis and will provide an update on the situation as soon as we have further information. The Agency urges anyone with any information regarding this very serious incident to contact us on 0800 80 70 60 as soon as possible.’
It is believed the source of the pollution is an industrial estate north of the town centre.
