Environment officials were today still warning people not to come into contact with water in an Essex river following a health warning.

It is believed more than 500,000 large fish in the River Blackwater between Coggeshall and Great Braxted have died since the pollution was first reported last Monday

The pollutant, a biocide called tributyltin, is believed to have entered the River Blackwater via a piped drainage system in Coggeshall.

The Environment Agency has said no fish below Great Braxted are believed dead but the pollutant has reached the Blackwater Estuary and environment officials are now monitoring the area.

Patrick Ripton, area environment protection manager for the agency, said: "We've continued monitoring the river over the weekend. The level of contamination has fallen below which it would kill fish."

Anybody who thinks they have been affected can contact either NHS Direct on 0845 4647 or the Environment Agency emergency hotline on 0800 807060

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Published Wednesday August 28, 2002

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