DOZENS of dead fish have been spotted in the River Ching.

A dog walker told the Guardian that he feared the river, which flows through Chingford and Highams Park, has been poisoned after spotting the dead fish floating on the surface behind the Walthamstow Stadium site.

Sacha Smith, 39, of Highams Park, said: “I was walking my dog last night when I noteiced the fish. It is a very popular place for kids and walking the dogs.

“The water was very cloudy yesterday. I was walking the dog up the Ching when I saw the fish were belly up in the water. The biggest were 12 inches long. I saw about 20 of them last night from six to 12 inches over a 200m stretch. This morning when the water had cleared there were loads of little ones, about two inches long dead at the bottom of the river. There were about 30 or 40 of them.

“I am worried because children go down there all the time to play in the water. Dogs go there especially. I have a little boy and when we walk the dog I let him paddle in the water at the end of the walk and the dog drinks the water. I am worried it has been poisoned.”

The Environment Agency is investigating the incident. They will be carrying out an assessment and taking a sample of the water later today.

Have you seen any dead fish in the Ching? Call the newsdesk on 01992 572285.