THOUSANDS of young fish have been released into rivers across the North East to replenish stocks.

Last year, staff from the Environment Agency released more than 40,000 fish – including chub, dace, roach, bream, barbel, tench, grayling, crucian carp and rudd.

And this week the North east fisheries team started off the new year by releasing 4,000 chub and 5,000 roach into the River Skerne at Darlington.

Paul Frear, fisheries officers in the region, said: “Restocking is one of many things we do together with our partners to develop fisheries, including reducing the impact of pollution, improving habitats and removing barriers to fish migration.”

Anyone interested in taking up fishing can find further information or buy a rod licence online at www.gov.uk/fishing-licences