A giant chemical firm which polluted two rivers during a massive blaze has forked out thousands of pounds to help restock one of the waterways.

Ten thousand fish died after a "toxic soup" poured out of Allied Colloids works at Low Moor, Bradford, in 1992 as more than 100 firefighters fought the inferno.

And the River Calder, one of the polluted rivers, was also badly hit between Brighouse and Elland by the drought in 1995.

According to Environment Agency spokesman Pete Mischenko, the river's usual flow was cut by half, resulting in yet more fish being killed.

Now, in a two phase plan, Allied Colloids has spent more than £21,000 on 14,000 fish to help combat the effects of general pollution and the water crisis.

The firm has bought a number of species from Humberside fisheries including 810 chub, 378 perch and 2,000 gudgeon which were released into the river.

And another 10,000 fish will be released in March.

The company's managing director for manufacturing Alan Whitehead said: "We recognise the environmental importance of the River Calder in Yorkshire.

"Given our own unfortunate fire over five years ago, and the adverse affect which that undoubtedly had on the fish population, we were happy to sponsor this two stage restocking programme."

Anglers have welcomed the return of fish to the river.

Committee member of Bradford No 1 angling club Simon Foster said: "Recent events have badly affected fish stocks, particularly gudgeon which are more prone to stress.

"However, the feedback from our 4,500 members suggest that things have greatly improved."

The Environment Agency set up an emergency project three years ago to monitor the river.

A report due out later this year is expected to show a marked improvement.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.