THOUSANDS of fish are to be released into local rivers over the next few weeks.

As part of an ongoing plan to restore the region’s lakes and rivers, the Environment Agency will be stocking 2,000 dace and 1,500 chub at Lumley Park Burn, in Chester-le-Street.

The boost in fish stocks taking place over December is for spawning purposes.

Benjamin Carty from the Environment Agency said: “Lumley Park Burn was chosen as the lower stretches are suited to dace and chub.

“The Wear Rivers Trust have built a fish pass funded by the Environment Agency that connects the River Wear and the lower reaches of Lumley Park Burn for the first time in over 100 years.”

The fish, which come from the Environment Agency’s fish farm in Nottinghamshire, will also be released at Prudhoe and other locations on the rivers Tyne and Team, as well as in five stillwater fisheries across the north east.

Anglers who fish at Silksworth Lake in Sunderland will see stocks boosted after fish escaped from the lake during flooding in 2012.

Paul Frear, from the Environment Agency, 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 to our work.”