AN oil leak has polluted a brook behind houses in Bishop's Castle.

The oil was discovered just before Christmas in a brook behind houses in Grange Road.

Roy Hatfield, aged 57, said that the problem was discovered because of a strong smell of oil fumes.

“We discovered that there was oil in the brook and the smell is so strong that we cannot have windows open,” he said.

It is believed that the oil is from a central heating system but Roy says that he does not have oil fired central heating and so it must be coming from upstream.

The Environment Agency has been called in and has put down a floating boom on the brook that is being used to trap the oil whilst absorbent pads are being used to soak up the oil.

“It is very unpleasant and the oil still seems to be coming,” added Roy Hatfield.

“There were birds in and around the brook but they seem of have gone and it is not very pleasant having pad like nappies floating in the water covered with oil.”