Residents have raised concerns about a foam-like substance floating along a town river.
The foam was spotted yesterday morning when onlookers saw it moving along the Little Ouse River, in Thetford, with sightings by Bridge Street as well as Coffee Mill and River Thet.
Pictures showed a large volume of the substance on the water’s surface as it moved downstream.
Residents have raised wildlife concerns after a foam-like substance was spotted floating along Little River Ouse, in Thetford. Picture: submitted
Residents took to social media to share their concerns, particularly about the potential impact on wildlife and whether the foam was harmful.
Terry Goldsmith said he had never seen anything like it in the 59 years he has lived in the town.
“I saw it about 11am on my way home from shopping in town,” he added. “I have never seen anything like it and I thought it was not good for the wildlife.”
The foam was first spotted yesterday morning. Picture: Terry Goldsmith
Another resident spotted the foam at about 11.20am, following a visit to the doctor.
She said she was heading back to her car, in School Lane, when she saw a group of people gathered by the river.
“There was about 10 people who all stopped to look,” she said. “The river looked like a bath full of foam.
There was a large build-up around the Coffee Mill and River Thet. Picture: Nataly Syrbu
“But this is a river and it was not a pleasant surprise.
“My husband and I got a slight shock. We just thought about what damage this could do to the wildlife.”
Another resident added: “This should not be allowed to happen – goodness knows what’s happening to the flora and fauna in the river and its whole ecosystem”.
Picture: Nataly Syrbu
In October, SuffolkNews reported on a similar incident along Little Ouse River, in Brandon.
At the time Laurance Chorlton, of Brandon, said he saw foam floating on the river while fishing near Brandon Lock Lake.
He described the sighting as resembling ‘lots of icebergs’ and a scene ‘straight out of Titanic’.
When asked about yesterday’s incident, a spokesperson for the Environment Agency said: “We are following up reports of foam floating along the Little Ouse River and officers went out to assess the situation yesterday.
“We are investigating the source, but in the meantime would like to assure residents that the foam does not pose a risk to local wildlife and is starting to disperse.
“We encourage people to report environmental incidents to us on 0800 80 70 60. Thank you to those who did so on Monday.”