THERE are fears for wildlife and public safety after a large amount of diesel leaked into a river in Eastcote.

Michael Sackett of Boleyn Drive in Eastcote noticed the spillage on Sunday when he had to stop his two dogs from going into the Yeading Brook which runs near Field End Road.

He said: "I actually smelt the oil as soon as I got into the park and there must be hundreds of litres of oil dropped into the stream either accidentally or on purpose.

"The water has turned the same way as if you emptied a frying pan into the sink, and the slicks are a red colour which indicates that it's red diesel."

He explained that a friend had informed him that her dog had gone into the water and is still very sick and that she had to give him a bath four times.

Hayley Willoughby, a spokesperson for the Environment Agency, said: "A member of the public reported the incident to us on Saturday and an officer has visited the site but has not been able to find what the source of the leak is. We will now be carrying out samples to see what evidence we can find of the leak."