THOUSANDS of young fish have been released into the River Tees at Low Coniscliffe to boost stocks.

The chub and dace fish were released into the river by the Environment Agency on Thursday.

It is part of the agency's ongoing plan to develop and restore rivers in the region, targeting those which have been affected by pollution or where barriers affect fish passage.

A total of 8,000 fish were released into the Tees and also into the River Wear at Maiden Castle.

The Agency is also planning on boosting stocks further in the River Skerne near Darlington.

The fish – chub, dace, roach, bream, tench, rudd and crucian carp - are all reared at the Environment Agency’s fish farm near Calverton, Nottinghamshire, using funding from rod licence sales.

Alice Fitch, Fisheries Team leader for the Environment Agency in the North-East, said: “We are pleased that we can provide these fish for stocking as part of our commitment to rod licence paying anglers.

"Restoration and the creation of new fisheries for all people to enjoy is a very important aspect of our work.

“Restocking is one of many things we do together with our partners to develop fisheries, including reducing the effects of pollution, improving habitat and removing barriers to fish migration.”

Many industrialised rivers have improved dramatically in water quality in the last 30 years.

And targeted and appropriate restocking has helped the restoration of natural fish stocks and viable fisheries using the money directly from anglers.