A DEVASTATING wildlife disaster has left thousands of dead fish lining a four-mile stretch of popular angling waters.

Pike, tench, bream and roach are among species wiped out at Three Pools Waterway, in Southport.

Ducklings and river birds are also thought to have perished as storm water sent raw sewage surging into the fishing haven last week.

The contamination, combined with reduced dissolved oxygen levels in the water following recent hot weather, sparked the ecological tragedy.

Steve Ball, vice-chairman of Southport and District Angling Association (SDAA), said: “Words cannot describe how sad everybody feels.

“Many members join the club simply for the Three Pools and they are distraught.

“Some of the biggest pike have been there for 14 years, and they have just been killed in an instant.”

Steve Johnson, head bailiff of SDAA, raised the alarm on Tuesday, June 30, when he saw 17 dead fish float past.

But he claimed he was told not to panic by the Environment Agency, which sent officers to the site on Thursday in a failed attempt to drive up oxygen levels.

He said: “It is absolutely devastating. Between 15,000 and 20,000 fish were killed and it could have been avoided. The fishing community is distraught.

“I have fished at the Three Pools since I could hold a rod, but I will be an old man before I can fish there again.”

Three Pools Waterway is a hot-spot for anglers, with the quality of fish making it one of the North West’s prime waterways. Many of the dead fish were cleared by the Environment Agency, but hundreds still lie tangled in reeds.

Anglers fear it may take up to 15 years before the area is cleaned and restocked.