Villagers say a Kent river has been “devastated” by an oil leak – with upsetting footage showing a dead bird in the water.

The spill in the River Stour, which runs through Canterbury, was discovered to be coming from the decommissioned Chartham Paper Mill site.

The Environment Agency (EA), which has received dozens of reports from worried members of the public, says it is carrying out an investigation into the incident and taking legal action "in line with our enforcement options".

It says its officers continue to work with contractors to find evidence of environmental harm. One bird has been reported dead, as well as fish in the river.

An unknown amount of synthetic insulating oil was found to have entered the drainage system into the river but the EA says most of this has now been contained using “booms and pads”.

This was organised by the paper mill’s site manager and is being managed by a firm of private contractors.

However, 70-year-old Roy Thicke, whose home in Chartham backs onto the river, says the situation is getting “worse”.

The retired Univeristy of Kent and Canterbury Christ Church security guard normally feeds the ducks on the river but since Friday he hasn’t seen any.

Mr Thicke lives just minutes from the paper mill and told KentOnline that the spill is “devastating for the area”.

He said: “It all started on Friday when I went to feed the ducks but there wasn’t any there and I noticed the oil in the river.

“We have moorhens, kingfishers and geese but none of them are here – it's devastating.

“The EA is aware but nothing seems to be helping it and it actually looks worse today than it has since Friday.

“I can’t smell it as since I got Covid I have lost my smell and taste but other villagers have told me it smells of diesel.

“The spill has already ruined the river for years to come.”

Another Chartham resident, who did not want to give his name, said when he took his dog for a walk this morning he could still see the oil in the river.

In a video he filmed yesterday the 63-year-old points out a dead bird which can be seen floating in the river.

He told KentOnline: “I have lived here for 50 years and I have never seen the river look so dead.

“Normally the river is filled with birds but today there isn’t any wildlife and I have only seen dead birds in the river.”

Yesterday, residents told KentOnline the spill had made Canterbury city centre “stink of diesel”.

A spokesperson for the Environment agency said: “The responsibility for stopping and clearing up the spill sits with the site owners who we have identified, notified and liaised with. They have contractors working on their behalf to carry out the clean-up.

“Part of our work is ensuring that the site owners are doing enough to contain and clear up the spill.

“The Environment Agency’s role is regulatory and we will be carrying out an investigation into the incident and taking legal action in line with our enforcement options.

“The overnight rain has washed further oil out of the drainage system but despite this, we have not seen much environmental impact. The oily rainbow sheen that can be seen along a large stretch of river while visually of concern, is of minimal environmental impact."

Members of the public are asked to continue to report sightings of oil on the river to the EA’s free 24-hour incident hotline on 0800 80 70 60.