AROUND 100 fish were found dead in a Cwmbran canal by a resident.

Colin Breeze's house in Ty Coch Lane backs onto the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal, where he found carp, roach and bream fish floating on the surface.

The 62-year-old said he thought many of them died during the recent cold snap and became frozen in the ice.

He was concerned when children began removing the fish from it at Christmas time.

Now that has melted, they are lying along a 100 metre stretch and are starting to smell, Mr Breeze said.

He decided to write to Torfaen council's Technical Services department to make them aware of the problem.

A spokeswoman for Environment Agency Wales said they have visited the site and it is understood the council is in the process of removing the fish.

She said a lack of oxygen was the most likely reason for the fish deaths, as readings they took were very low, although they are awaiting results of a sample from the canal to confirm this.

Hundreds were also found dead in the canal in Goytre Wharf last month, due to ice and a lack of oxygen.

A spokeswoman for Torfaen council said they are aware of the situation and contacted Environment Agency Wales who took water samples.

She added council workers will be at the site today to remove the fish.