Last night (August 20) residents and Friends of the River Frome were devastated to learn of another slurry spill into the river, turning the river black.

The spill took place upstream (south) of Frome last night. An Environment Agency officer warned that fish were beginning to suffocate and Frome residents are expecting the worst. Agricultural diffuse pollution from fertiliser and slurry, is the main impact on the upper reaches of the river causing it's already poor condition.

Sue Everett, of Friends of the River Frome, said: "In this area there is too high a livestock density, creating a huge quantity of livestock waste to dispose of that this landscape and our river cannot cope with. Last winter was particularly dire, with slurry spread on waterlogged ground, soil and water running out of maize fields causing localised flooding".

But similar practices she said are observed every year, despite new regulations that were introduced over two years ago. A slurry spill from a similar origin occurred in 2016, and killed thousands of fish. The responsible farmer was fined and paid costs to the Environment Agency of £22,000. It is not confirmed whether the spill this time originated from the same farm.

Friends of the River Frome is one of the organisations supporting a new farmer-group in the area, which is being coordinated by the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group South West. "We urge local farmers to join with this group, which will offer help and guidance on better farming practices, including better slurry, grassland and hedgerow management that will benefit nature in the river and on land- all practices that will also improve business sustainability."

Meanwhile, anyone interested in supporting the work of Friends of the River Frome is urged to join the group by clicking HERE: the Friends site