FISH stocks in the Tyne and Wear rivers have been given a boost thanks to the Environment Agency.

About 8,000 roach and 7,000 chub have been put in both rivers as part of the agency's long-term commitment to regenerate urban fisheries and help rejuvenate stocks of the two species.

The roach have been stocked in a coarse fish refuge area created on the lower Tyne and the chub will be placed in the River Wear, where surveys revealed low numbers of coarse fish.

As well as boosting fish numbers in both rivers, it is hoped angling will increase as the stocks of coarse fish improve.

Phil Rippon, fishersies technical specialist for the Environment Agency, said: "This further stocking of coarse fish shows the agency's commitment to try to improve the potential for coarse angling on both rivers.

"In the case of the Tyne, the stocking will accompany habitat improvement works that have already been undertaken, which will provide the stocked fish with an increased chance of surviving and thriving within the lower Tyne."