FISH stocks in a North-East river are recovering after a pollution outbreak.

Thousands of fish in the River Skerne were reported dying on Friday, between Darlington and Newton Aycliffe.

Many of the fish were found in a 100-metre stretch near the Hallgarth Road Bridge, in Newton Aycliffe.

The Environment Agency said yesterday it was still investigating the cause of the pollution, which had affected a 5km length of the river.

A spokeswoman said: "Throughout the weekend, our officers have been monitoring the river.

"We are still trying to get information about the pollutant.

"We haven't seen any water- fowl that were killed and the bank-life at the moment seems to have been unaffected.

"The pollution has dispersed and we think what is happening is that fish swimming downstream into the affected area are repopulating the area.

"That's some good news."

The agency has classified the incident as category one - the most serious it can investigate.

If it is found to have been deliberately polluted, legal action could be taken against the perpetrator and the agency would be seeking costs.

Signs have been erected along the riverbank warning people not to swim in the river or allow dogs in.

A count of the number of dead fish by the Environment Agency revealed 94 dead trout, 19 dace, three barbel, one perch and thousands of minnows along a five to six-kilometre stretch of the river.