FISH that slipped through the net during a lake clean-up are being caught by more radical methods.

Yesterday and today, Environment Agency staff are converging on Middlesbrough's Albert Park lake to carry out the latest phase of a fish removal scheme.

Between 10,000 and 15,000 have already been moved, but many managed to avoid being caught. Now the lake is being drained to ensure that none escape.

The fish that are caught will be taken in tanks to a temporary home at the nearby Hemlington Lake, where they will remain until restoration work on the Albert Park lake is completed.

The fish removal is the first stage of a £20,000, two year restoration project being carried out by the Environment Agency.

The money will be used to improve habitats and install fishing platforms at the lake, which belongs to Middlesbrough Borough Council.

Local schoolchildren were invited to watch the fish being caught and learn more about the project.

Richard Holmes, fisheries management officer with the Environment Agency, said: "This time around, we expect to catch similar species to the ones we found in February, such as bream, carp, roach and tench.

"We are removing the fish either by netting or through electro-fishing, where an electric current is used to stun them slightly.

"We are confident that we can remove all the fish safely."