The environment agency had to be called out to investigate some contaminated water after residents reported a strong smell emanating from a brook.

Residents close to the Shorey Bank area of Darwen reported smelling a very strong diesel smell from Alum House Brook at around 12pm on Tuesday.

One resident, Sefcsik Tamás, said: "The smell was bad in Shorey Bank all day Tuesday. I think the brook had been contaminated with diesel.

"I called the Environment Agency and they called me back after 6pm.

"The gentleman I spoke to used the phrase 'severe contamination'.

"He said they'd investigate it further as this incident was reported by a few people already."

Posting on social media, many other residents had expressed their concerns over the contamination, with some worried about the wildlife in the area, while others commented how awful the smell was.

Darwen councillor, Dave Smith, said: "I hope they find out where it's come from because then hopefully they can catch the culprits.

"If the environment agency start upstream they can narrow the area down between there and where the booms are.

"There's quite a lot of industry next to the brook but that doesn't mean the spillage has come from there."

A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said: "We are currently dealing with and responding to reports of contamination to a brook in Darwen.

"Our teams attended the site last night and environment officers are there again today.

"In order to soak up the contamination, booms have been laid across the brook.

"We will continue to investigate this incident and work to identify the source of pollution.

"If members of the public have any information about this incident or other pollution incidents they can report it by calling our incident hotline on 0800 807 060 or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."