Gallons of diesel polluted the Stour in the city centre early this morning after a delivery lorry hit a bench which ruptured a fuel tank.

It happened shortly before 1am in the High Street outside New Look and Environment Agency officers were alerted and called to the scene later in the morning to try and tackle the spillage.

The fuel is thought to have got into the river near the Kings bridge through a drainage pipe and created a strong smell and was visible on the water surface.

The river Stour by the Marlowe Theatre

A mopping up operation was conducted by the EA which said there were no signs fish or birds had been affected.

But Canterbury Historic River Tours boss Carey Miles said he feared wildlife on the river could suffer.

He said: “We suspended our tours while we did a risk assessment because the smell of fuel was quite strong.

“Pollution like that lies in the reeds and could affect the wildlife but I think they are hoping the flow of the river will help disperse it.”