AS hot weather grips the county, Environment Agency officers relocated over 1,000 fish including salmon, trout, eels and minnows to safer refuge from the River Derwent in Borrowdale.

Due to recent dry weather, the Environment Agency teams have seen an increase in reports to the incident hotline over the last few days about fish in distress, algal blooms and low water levels

The Environment Agency works to balance the water needs of people, business, farmers and the environment working with United Utilities and others.

READ MORE: The Drovers Rest, Monkhill wins Cumbria Pub of the Year Award

Jim Ratcliffe, Environment Agency environment manager, said:  “Environment Agency teams have been working hard to respond to dry weather environmental impacts and we will continue to respond to reports of fish in distress, algal blooms and low water levels.

“We thank the public for alerting us to any incidents so we can investigate and take action and encourage everyone to use our 24/7 hotline on 0800 807060 to help us protect the environment.

"The North West can often experience changeable weather patterns such as long dry periods followed quickly by heavy rainfall.

"The Environment Agency works closely with Met Office colleagues to ensure we keep up to date on the latest forecast."