Fishing has been suspended at Astbury Mere.

The Environment Agency is investigating a suspected bacterial infection at the Congleton beauty spot.

Officers attended the site earlier this week, following reports of fish showing visible sores.

While a bacterial infection is suspected, this has not yet been confirmed.

As a precautionary measure, Astbury Mere has been closed to angling to support fish recovery.

The waterbody is owned by Stoke-on-Trent Angling Society.

Chair of the group, Kevin Grocott, said: "We have a bacterial infection at the mere, nothing picked up on water sample, but other tests are being done at their lab, to be sure.

"The Environment Agency believe that it is nothing more than that.

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"The weather has played a massive part in making the perfect conditions for bacteria to prosper, at the worst time for the fish, the steps the club has taken, have been the correct ones, and going forward we will be following the advice from the Environment Agency.

"Contrary to the rumours going around, we have not lost any fish to this infection, that may change, but as of yet none.

"The mere will remain closed, to aid the recovery and lower the stress levels for the fish.

"We will reopen as soon as possible, but the fish welfare will be at the centre of that decision."

An Environment Agency spokesperson added: "We are working closely with the angling club to monitor the situation and ensure the health of the fishery.

"We encourage anyone who sees fish in distress to report it to our incident hotline on 0800 80 70 60."