At least 70 fish have died following a deadly contamination which has caused foaming on the River Wey.

Investigations are continuing into the nature and cause of a spillage on Saturday in the Haslemere area that has left the river facing an “environmental catastrophe”.

Dead fish have been seen floating in the water afar as Bramshott Mill following the incident in the Shottermill and Camesdale area on Saturday.

The results of water and fish tests carried out by the Environment Agency should be released shortly with the EA confirming that around 50 of the 70 fish killed on the watercourse were brown trout.

A spokesperson said: “Our officers attended the River Wey pollution incident over the weekend that has sadly resulted in a number of fish deaths.

“We thank members of the public for reporting this to us so that we could quickly respond.

“The source of the pollution is being traced with water samples taken and our investigations into this incident continue.

“Members of the public who may have any information about how this incident occurred are encouraged to contact us in confidence via our 24 hour freephone hotline on 0800 807060.”

Figures from The National Trust and River Wey Trust also attended with concerns being flagged to the latter between 6pm and 8pm last Saturday (March 22).

Wey contamination foam haslemere PIC1
Large mounds of foam and dead fish have been seen floating on the Haslemere to Liphook section of the Wey since Saturday. (Pippa Mizen)

A spokesperson said: “Evidence of foaming and extensive fish and eel deaths were seen at Camelsdale and downstream on Sunday morning.

“The foaming abated during the day but a further incident appears to have taken place on Sunday evening again with foaming reported to EA.

“There is something amiss somewhere on the tributary of the river which runs through Haslemere.”

Gregory Stafford MP is seeking updates while town councillor, Claire Matthes, called the incident “an absolute tragedy for the river and supporting wildlife.”

She added: “I live very near to where it happened and to see so many dead fish is bad enough, but there’s so much more in the water that’s been affected that we can’t see.

“There’s been so much speculation over what’s happened but everyone is really outraged and saddened.”