Fish die as algae blooms in river

Thousands of fish are believed to have died in a Shropshire river because of summer weather conditions, the Environment Agency said today.

The River Meese, between Newport and Crudgington, has turned blue due to increasing algae activity which has been exhausting much of the dissolved oxygen in the water.

The Environment Agency confirmed today that thousands of fish are thought to have been killed by the fluctuations in oxygen levels.

But it has stressed it is ordinary algae, not blue-green algae which can pose a risk to cattle.

But there is little that the agency says it can do to help, as access to the River Meese is severely restricted by overgrowth and the area of water is too large to tackle.

Lyn Fraley, spokeswoman for EA, said: "We shall have to let nature take its course."

Fisheries officers are continuing to monitor the situation at the river.