THIS is the moment 1,500 fish were introduced to their new home in a North East river.

The dace released by the Environment Agency into the River Gaunless near Bishop Auckland this afternoon (Wednesday, December 12) were some of the 11,000 fish introduced into North-East rivers today.

Officers also restocked the Clow Beck, which flows into the River Tees near Darlington, the Wear near Durham and the Tyne at Hexham with breeds including dace, barbel and chub.

All the fish were bred at the Environment Agency’s fish farm at Calverton in Nottinghamshire and were driven up to the North East to be re-homed today.

Fisheries officers Paul Frear and Robbie Stevenson introduced the fish to their new homes.

Mr Frear said it is the culmination of years of work to clean up the rivers.

He also said fish play an important role in the sustainability and future of our waterways.