FISH had to be rescued during work to improve Kempsey's flood defences.

As previously reported in the Worcester News work is now underway by the Environment Agency to improve the Kempsey Flood Alleviation Scheme.

The EA hopes the work will improve operational efficiency, effectiveness and resilience.

A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said: "During the improvement work taking place at the flood alleviation scheme in Kempsey on Thursday a few hundred small fish were removed from the river close to the pumping system.

"The majority of the fish were very young and around 3-4 cm in size.

"There were a few mature fish also removed and the range of species included Chub, Bream, Perch, Minnow, Bullhead along with a few eels.

"We would expect to see such a range of breeds in the river but the numbers were higher than expected. All the fish were collected and moved further upstream and released."

Funding was secured for the flood defence improvements in late summer last year and works are due to be completed by Easter.

The works have been planned and are being undertaken so that they will not affect the integrity of the defence or operation of the scheme ensuring continued protection to the local community throughout the construction period.