POCKLINGTON residents were shocked to learn that thousands of fish died when raw sewage spilled into a local water course.

The sewage entered Pocklington Beck at West Green and polluted a one-mile stretch of water, flowing into Pocklington Canal.

The incident, which occurred after a combined sewer overflow was blocked by sanitary products, was reported by a member of public, who saw dead fish floating on the surface of the water yesterday.

Pete Stevenson, of the Environment Agency said: "Initial estimates suggest there are thousands of dead fish, including trout, and a variety of coarse fish such as bream, perch and roach. This is a tragic loss of life and it will take years for the river to recover."

He warned that families visiting the picnic spot at the head of Pocklington Canal should avoid playing near the water until the problem was rectified.

The Environment Agency has set up an incident room and a team of officers attended the site yesterday to assess the scale of the problem and remove the dead fish.

Mr Stevenson said: "We were on site within an hour of receiving the first call about the incident and installed an aerator two hours later. The aerator enables us to get oxygen back into the watercourse in a bid to save as many fish as possible, but unfortunately we have been powerless to save the vast majority."

East Riding of Yorkshire councillor for Pocklington, Hilary Saynor, said: "I am appalled that this has happened. I think it is very sad that people don't think about what they are disposing of down the lavatory."

Sheila Nix, secretary of Pocklington Canal Amenity Society, said: "It's very unfortunate when pollution gets in, but the water will recover. Once the pollution has been got rid of, the canal will be restocked with new fish in due course."

The affected stretch is a popular spot for anglers and is fished by the York and District Amalgamation of Anglers. Patrick Thornber, of British Waterways, which runs the canal, said: "This is extremely distressing and it is difficult to see the extent of the damage done. It is an unfortunate incident, but we wouldn't want people to be put off visiting the Pocklington Canal."

Anyone with further details about the incident should phone the Environment Agency on its 24- hour emergency hotline, 0800 807060.

Updated: 10:19 Tuesday, June 03, 2003