The Environment Agency is continuing to investigate a serious oil spill along the River Medway amid concerns it was illegally "dumped down a drain".

Boaters flagged the pollution at Hamptead Lock in Yalding, near Maidstone yesterday and the slipway was shut for navigation.

An investigation was launched following the incident which was declared a category 1, the most serious.

It comes amid contamination fears over the spill's impact on river users and wildlife.

The Environment Agency now believes the oil was illegally dumped down a drain but are still probing the incident.

Its officers have been on-site today across Yalding, Wateringbury, Teston and East Farleigh, to minimise the pollution.

A temporary floating barrier has been placed in Yalding known as a a “boom” to help contain the oil spill and reduce the impact further downstream.

Specialist contractors are using a floating skimmer device to remove the oil trapped behind the boom from the surface of the river.

Members of the public are encouraged to report pollution incidents to us via our 24 hour freephone incident hotline number on: 0800 80 70 60