A THOUSAND litres of red diesel has filtered into a stream after a fuel tank was vandalised on a farm.

Firefighters were called to Stonefold, Rising Bridge, after the fuel used in farm machinery was found leaking into the water course.

Specialist crews were called around 10am yesterday but the diesel had been leaking since the early hours.

The chemical had reached the river near to Baxenden Chemicals when fire crews were called.

Both the emergency services and the Environment Agency said there was little risk to humans and so far no fish have been killed.

Watch manager Steve Barnes, from Rawtenstall fire station, said: “There is no danger to people and we have not seen any floating fish.

“The red diesel entered the stream and the river. We used a bond to soak up the oil. The majority of the diesel had reached the water supply. We salvaged as much as we could but will visit the site periodically.”

A spokeswoman for the Environment Agency said: “Following the diesel spillage at Rising Bridge the Environment Agency has been working in partnership with the emergency services and Lancashire County Council to contain the environmental impact.

“We believe the spillage has been contained and currently there is no visible impact on fish and limited impact on the water quality.

"The Environment Agency will continue to monitor the situation for 36 hours.”