THE entire fish population of a country beck much-loved by anglers has been wiped out in the third pollution incident to hit the region in recent weeks.

Only days ago, thousands of fish died when a detergent got into the River Tame, between Middlesbrough and Stokesley.

A fortnight before, thousands more had been killed in River Skerne, between Darlington and Newton Aycliffe.

Now a third pollution incident has caused a "total kill" in the beck at Leeming, near Northallerton, North Yorkshire.

A one-and-three-quarter mile stretch of the 10ft wide waterway has been hit, from Leeming Bridge down to the spot where the beck meets the River Swale - which has not been affected.

Pike, chub, dace, trout and grayling are among the species that have been killed although invertebrates in the beck have survived.

Experts say there was a "healthy" population before the pollution hit, killing all the fish.

The Environment Agency has traced the pollution back to a service water drain from Leeming Bar industrial estate and now its experts are working with Yorkshire Water to pinpoint the exact source.

The beck is fished by the Black Ox Angling Club, which is thought to be one of the oldest in the country.

Secretary Rex Dale said: "This has been devastating news for us anglers.

"One of our club walked the river and didn't see a single live fish, although there were dead ones all the way down to the Swale."

Keen angler David Robson, a self-employed decorator, said normally only a trickle of water came from the service drain.

But he said that a week ago his wife was walking nearby and there was a lot of water coming out which had a distinctly chemical smell.

"It was a very well-stocked river but now there's nothing at all.

"With children on school holiday and people walking their dogs I think warning signs should have gone up."

Yesterday, the Environment Agency reassured parents and pet owners that the pollution was clearing up and there was no danger to children or dogs.

Organisations found guilty of causing such pollution can be fined up to £20,000 by magistrates - or can face unlimited fines at a Crown Court