Dead fish find sparks fears of pollution

PEOPLE are being urged to keep children and pets away from a local pond amid a pollution scare.

Investigations at Campbridge Park Pond in Livingston are being carried out by West Lothian Council and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency after around 20 dead fish were reported on the pond's surface last Friday.

The dead fish - mostly roach, perch and pike - and samples of the pond water are being analysed to find the source of the problem, with early indications suggesting a natural phenomenon related to cold weather.

A West Lothian Council spokesman said: "Initial tests do not show any pollution, but tests are ongoing."

Simon Cole, Sepa's unit manager in Edinburgh, added: "Wet weather can stir up the bottom of water bodies and this, combined with low temperatures, can stress fish.

"Water bodies without a natural inflow to replenish water supplies, such as Campbridge Park Pond, can be affected by periods of ice cover such as we have experienced this winter because the levels of oxygen in the water can be much lower than normal."