A DIESEL spill has polluted the River Irwell — leading to concerns from Bury anglers.

The spill at a Tesco petrol station in Haslingden has contaminated the river, and the Environment Agency and the fire service have been on the scene.

Tesco said the underground leak has been stopped yesterday morning, and that there is no immediate danger to the public.

But Eric Owen, of Little Britain Angling, a new club which fishes in the river near his home in Keswick Drive, Radcliffe, says the river has turned green, and has concerns for nearby wildlife.

He said: “We won’t be able to tell how it has affected wildlife until it has become clear again, but hopefully with the rain it will disperse it and not have too much of an impact.

A spokesman for the Environment Agency said: “Environment Agency officers are at the scene of a diesel spill in Haslingden near Rossendale.

“We are providing advice on how to minimise the risk to the environment during the clean-up process, and we are monitoring the impact to local waterways and groundwater.”

A Tesco spokesman added: “We stopped the leak yesterday morning and the fire service has advised us that there is no immediate danger to the public.

“The Environment Agency is now working with our engineers and other partner agencies to ensure the ground is cleaned up.

“ Our store colleagues have been in touch with local residents to apologise for any smells caused by the leak and are keeping them closely updated as the clean-up progresses.”