Blowing bubbles at Middleton nature reserve

A suspected chemical spillage has coated a river in Middleton in a blanket of foam.

Soap suds measuring around 150ft long by about 10ft deep were seen on the River Irk this week, close to the Irkside Nature Reserve.

The bubbles travelled as far as the River Irwell into Salford and Manchester.

An upstream detergent factory has begun an investigation into the spillage, which could be bleach or washing-up liquid. A spokesman from Robert McBride Ltd said that the spillage had not come directly from their site but may be caused be a leak in a wall below their building.

The company are working alongside the Environment Agency to identify the source of the leak. The Environment Agency believe the foam may have killed a number of fish, while ducks and ducklings were seen swimming in the contaminated water.

It is believed that natural water flow will eventually clear the foam from the river.