A BID to stun fish with a low level electric shock, to rescue them from an oxygen-starved pond, has been temporarily abandoned.

Officials from the Environment Agency moved in to save hundreds of fish from Green Pond in Hookstone Wood, near the Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate.

However, the pond, formed from an old quarry, is 30 feet deep in parts and more water must be pumped out to make the electro-fishing successful.

Harrogate Borough Council workers, who have already pumped out thousands of gallons of water, will return next week.

They will transfer more water from Green Pond to neighbouring Blue Pond, which was not starved of oxygen because of better flows during the recent drought.

After that, Environment Agency fishermen will move in with a boat, stunning-rod and net to capture the fish.

An agency official said the current depth of the water meant the electro-fishing had proved ineffective.

The lack of oxygen in Green Pond was caused by the drought, and leaves falling on to the water.

Staff from the Environment Agency have managed to remove a small number of fish to the adjoining pond, where they are faring better.

However, hundreds of bream, roach, chub, carp and tench are still awaiting rescue.

An agency spokesman said electro-fishing did not harm the fish.

They were not in distress during the temporary operation, he said.