Wildlife fear over river pollution

A pollution squad has set up emergency barriers to block filth which has been flowing from a stream into the Severn at Bewdley amid concern over risks to wildlife.

The Environment Agency was forced to bring in booms – special floating devices to soak up the oily substance, believed to be fuel.

The danger to wildlife was still unclear this morning as tests were still ongoing to find out the source and type of pollution.

Environment Agency workers today described the pollution alert, which has been found in a pool which has seeped into one of the Severn's feeder streams, as "pretty nasty".

Swan Rescue, based at Wychbold, has been alerted and said they would be monitoring birds over the next few days to see if there are any signs of poisoning.

The alarm was raised by a dog walker Alek Krstic who regular walks along the riverside in Bewdley and first saw a shiny slick of what looked like oil coming into the River Severn via a stream on Tuesday.

He then saw a pool, fed by a waterfall, near Riverside Caravan park was also polluted.

He said: "I saw this watercourse which feeds into the River Severn was polluted, the water had a shine to it.

"It had the appearance of oil or fuel. There was also some in a pool fed by a waterfall near the caravan park.

"I was told by the workers it was red diesel mixed with an hydraulic fluid.

"I am concerned that the Environment Agency did not act straight away."

Lyn Fraley spokeswoman for the Environment Agency denied they had been slow to react.

"We are blocking the place before it gets to the river. This has not been described as a major incident but it is pretty nasty, " she said.