CHILDREN could be responsible for sparking a major ecological scare on the River Severn after paint was poured into the water.

Firefighters spent more than two hours setting up oil-absorbent booms to clear 20 litres of bitumen paint and rescue swans from Worcester's North Quay.

Officers from the Environment Agency and the fire brigade's environmental protection unit from Stourport-on-Severn were also scrambled to the scene after a passer-by raised the alarm at 5.30pm yesterday

Station commander at Worcester's fire station John DasGupta said the incident could have became a "major ecological incident" and praised the rapid response of fire crews in saving hundreds of birds.

"This was a mindless act," said Mr DasGupta. "Twenty litres does not sound like a lot but that can cover a very large area. This could have been much more serious than it was.

"The chemical was like very thick crude oil and half-a-mouthful of that would have been lethal to the birds.

"The contamination area was heading towards where the swans gather, so we used bread to entice them to the other side of the river and out of harm's way."

Firefighters also used a special net from the RSPCA, which also attended the scene, to rescue a family of ducklings and their mother.

Oliver Blackburn, an Environment Agency spokesman, said officers were due to go to the scene today to clear the remainder of the slick.

"At the moment, there are no signs of environmental damage. Investigations into how and why it got in there will be carried out," he said.

One theory is that thoughtless youngsters may have dumped the paint.

Police spokeswoman Kim Stain appealed for anyone with information to come forward, contacting 01905 748200 and quoting C580614.

- TRAFFIC around Worcester came to a standstill after nine containers of chemicals were found dumped in a ditch.

Three fire crews and an incident support unit were sent to the junction of Patronage Way and Berkeley Way, Warndon, after workmen for the Duckworth Trust discovered the plastic barrels.

Police sealed off the road - one of Worcester's main routes to the M5 motorway - for two hours after being alerted about the 16 nine-gallon-containers at 2.45pm yesterday.

Environment Agency officers carried out roadside tests on the liquid, which were found to be mixed solvents used for the cleaning of metals, before Worcester City Council removed them.