An urgent investigation is being carried out after one of Yorkshire's most picturesque riverside spots was found to be polluted.

Officers from Bradford Council's Countryside Unit are investigating what has fouled famous Harden Beck, near Bingley, an area of outstanding natural beauty which boasts the ancient Goit Stock waterfall.

Bingley councillor Robin Owens, a professional botanist and chairman of Harden Village Society, said he was very concerned about the situation.

He said: "The whole area is dead, dead, dead. I first noticed something was badly wrong when I walked along there in early September and it has not improved since then.

"There doesn't seem to be any brown trout these days and while you would expect to find all manner of creepy crawlies under stones there is absolutely nothing.

"What has caused it I don't know, but I would like the Environment Agency to take a more pro-active approach and undertake an ecological survey immediately. It should be a pleasure to walk along here and a lot of people enjoy coming here during the summer months.

"As well as brown trout there used to be crayfish and Caddis flies but not any longer."

A spokesman for Bradford Council's Countryside Service said: "We are aware of the concerns about the condition of Harden Beck as it does appear that it has been polluted in some way."

The beck is now being closely monitored by the Council's countryside officers and Yorkshire Water.

"We would urge anyone with information about the possible cause of the problem to contact the Countryside Service on 01943 603157 or the Environment Agency in confidence, so that it can be investigated and action taken where necessary," the spokesman added.