RECENT hot weather could be to blame for the death of hundreds of fish in a Didcot stream.

Environment Agency (EA) staff said up to 400 fish were thought to have died in Moor Ditch, north of the Ladygrove estate.

Technical specialist Andy Killingbeck said he expected the total to be between 300 and 400.

It includes gudgeon, roach, chub, dace and small numbers of other species.

The EA was called by a Didcot resident on Saturday and sent an officer down to investigate that night.

The investigation continued on Sunday morning, and yesterday EA scientists took water samples to test for pollution. A spokesman said the cause could be depleted oxygen levels caused by recent hot weather.

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