FIVE hundred fish have now been found dead in polluted water in Worcester. 

Officers from The Environment Agency spent yesterday battling to raise the oxygen level in the water at Laugherne Brook, St John’s, in a bid to save the distressed fish.

We reported on Thursday how the Agency had managed to stop the source of the pollution at the brook after the water turned dark and cloudy but they have refused to reveal what has caused the problem.

Dave Throup, manager for the Environment Agency in Herefordshire and Worcestershire, said: “There is a slug of deoxygenated water slowly making its way towards the River Teme.

"We have continued to dose the water with hydrogen peroxide to raise oxygen levels and help the fish that are in distress.

“Once it has made its way into the river the pollution will dilute and not pose as much of a problem.”

“The water is still very dark and cloudy so whilst it is hard to see for definite at the moment, I am pretty certain we will find more dead fish.”

“Having said that, we have also saved a lot of fish.”

The Environment Agency were first called to the discoloured water on Tuesday and were quickly able to identify the source of the pollution and stop it but returned on Wednesday to find 50 dead fish and hundreds in distress.

Mr Throup said he was aware of the nature of the pollutant but refused to reveal it as he did not want to jeopardise an ongoing investigation.