THOUSANDS of fish are being rescued in the heart of Worcester this week as a major operation to drain Diglis Basin takes place.

The Inner Basin has been dammed and three pumps have been reducing the water level at the rate of two inches a day ready for the fish to be caught and moved.

Vicky Blower of British Waterways said: "It's a very complicated operation and experts have been brought in to make sure the fish are not stressed too much."

"It's already been put off by a couple of weeks because the weather was too hot and that affects the oxygen levels in the water."

British Waterways finally handed over ownership of the basin to Taylor Woodrow Developments last week.

And outside contractors began work this week to rescue the fish and put them on the other side of the dam before the basin is drained completely for them to install new fittings and make any necessary repairs to the walls.

Guy Thring, project manager for Laser Civil Engin-eering, which is carrying out the remedial works on the basin, said 450 kilos of fish had been rescued by Wednesday lunchtime.

He added: "We started trying to do electric fishing where you introduce a low level electric shock to stun the fish but the water was too deep so it was a bit slow.

"Now we've got the nets in there though then it's going alright."

Fish ranging from two to three centimetres long to 24lb carp are all kinds of freshwater varieties inclu-ding roach, bream, eels and pike are believed to be in the basin.

Meanwhile, about 50 boats have already been moved temporarily into alternative moorings on the canal, River Severn or further afield in Kinver and Stourport after negotiations with owners.

They are set to return when work is finished and British Waterways takes responsibility again in about 12 months.