INVESTIGATIONS into why dead fish have again been found in Battleton Brook will be carried out by the Environment Agency later this week.

A spokesman confirmed that a chemical spillage at premises in Orleans Close on Monday evening had leaked into the company's drains, the sewerage system and polluted the brook.

Evesham firefighters said a substance like acetate was discovered leaking from a pipe and into the stream, where dozens of small fish were found dead.

Environment Agency workers worked until Tuesday lunchtime blocking the drains and pumping out the chemicals.

They will begin their investigation later this week into how the incident happened and decide if further action should be taken.

Ray Woods, chairman of Evesham and District Anglers Association, said pollution of Battleton Brook was a longstanding problem and could only be addressed with the prosecution of those responsible.

"The way it used to be was if you didn't want something, it was chucked into the river.

They should take more care now. I think they can get away with murder but if this has been done deliberately by idle hands they should be prosecuted.

Any spillage is likely to get into the Avon itself and you can get some good-sized fish in the brook, where they breed. Even one fish dying is too many," he said.

The most serious case of pollution in Battleton Brook was in 2001 when more than 500 fish were killed.

A farmer was later convicted of polluting the brook with slurry and was fined £2,000.

The latest incident came only days after Evesham firefighters were called in to prevent a diesel spillage infecting a stream near a Woodlands estate building site.