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Environment officers are investigating after a stream was turned luminous pink by woodland vandals.

Printer ink was dumped in the brook in Broad Oak, Canterbury, with car tyres also hurled into the polluted water.

Canterbury College student Toby Isaac stumbled across the scene while out walking his dog.

The river turned bright pink

“Me and my girlfriend were taking our usual route when suddenly the water started changing from normal water colour to bright pink,” said the 18-year-old, who lives in nearby Barnetts Lane.

“When I first saw it I couldn’t believe my eyes. I thought I was dreaming. It was so strange.

“It’s not good really for the wildlife in the area, but clearly they didn’t think about that.”

Environment Agency spokesman Andy Turton said officers spent four hours cleaning the water.

He added: “We took samples and sent to the lab for analysis. The substance was sitting on the water but was not mixing with it.

"We believe the material to be magenta copier toner but are still awaiting the lab results.

“We do not believe there have been any adverse effects to the ecology.”