Plea to clean River Wear in Durham as dead fish wash up

A campaign to clean up the “deteriorating state" of the River Wear has been renewed as dead wildlife and litter blights scenic spots throughout the North East.

Durham City MP Mary Kelly Foy has previously raised concern over the condition of the weirs in the city, excessive amounts of green algae, and the large build-up of rubbish trapped along them.

Ms Foy said she was “appalled” during a recent volunteer litter pick at amount of plastic waste and unsightly green algae in the river and accumulation of debris in the weirs – an issue which has also been raised by concerned residents and tourists.