Half a tonne of fish have been removed from the Caen Hill flight of locks on the Kennet and Avon Canal.

The fish, which included large carp and pike, were netted and relocated along the canal while a proportion were taken to Toddbrook Reservoir in the Peak District.

The fish were removed because British Waterways was concerned at the amount of younger fish and wildlife being eaten.

Ecologist Oda Dijksterhuis said: “In 2009 we removed the first batch of big fish from the ponds and installed silt screen curtains.

"The results of this habitat management work have been fantastic with aquatic plants, such as the rare potamogetons and hornworts, returning to the ponds that we haven’t had in the waterway for years.

“In addition to these plants we have seen an increase in dragon and damselfly populations.”