Residents have been left shocked at the sight of scores of dead fish left floating on the surface of a pond.

They were found on the water in Lower Radnor Park in Folkestone this morning and have created a “horrific smell”.

Council officers are investigating and the worrying discovery has also been reported to the Environment Agency.

Phoenix Wood, who has lived in the town for more than three years, found the fish while walking through the area at 8am, saying she could smell the stench before she knew where it was coming from.

The 18-year-old said: “I looked in the river and saw around 50 to 100 dead. It was around 8am this morning and I had a look again just now and there are way more.

“I was very shocked because I’ve never seen anything like it.”

The majority of the carcasses are in the water, but some have washed up onto the paths prompting safety concerns for park users.

It’s unclear what might have happened to the fish, but Miss Wood says she saw a “rainbow” like substance in the water.

A Folkestone and Hythe District Council spokesperson said: “Officers are investigating the cause and arranging to have the dead fish removed from the Lower Radnor Pond.

“The incident has also been reported to the Environment Agency.”