A ‘SIGNIFICANT number’ of an endangered breed of crayfish have been found dead along a watercourse in Nailsworth, experts have said.

White-Clawed Crayfish which are native to England and Wales and are our largest freshwater invertebrate could be being killed by a plague.

They are very rare and among the top 10 most endangered species in the UK, and are legally protected.

Officers at Environment Agency have received reports of a number of White-Clawed Crayfish deaths in three locations, Nailsworth, the Wyre Forest in Worcestershire and Redlake in Shropshire.

A spokesman for the government body said that tests have been carried out in each of the watercourses concerned and that early indications suggest that Crayfish Plague is the most likely explanation.

However officers are waiting for confirmation of the test results from the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS).

“This is a species specific disease and presents no risk to human or other animal health,” said a spokesperson from the Environment Agency.

“Crayfish plague is spread, principally, by American Signal Crayfish and crayfish plague spores.

“It can also be spread on damp equipment so we are asking members of the public not to enter watercourses in these areas: This includes fishing, walking or mountain biking through affected streams, rivers, and lakes.”

The agency first received reports of dead crayfish on separate occasions in late August and early September.

North American signal crayfish are the most common of four invasive non-native species in our rivers and can be found in parts of England and Wales.

Many have escaped from crayfish farms having been illegally introduced as a food source.

Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, Schedule 9, it is criminal offence to release or allow to escape into the wild non-native species of crayfish in the UK, and the use of crayfish as bait is also illegal under the Act.

The spokesman for the Environment Agency gave outdoor enthusiasts some simple steps to help prevent the potential spread of the disease “After your visit thoroughly clean any footwear, clothing and equipment that has been near the stream or stream banks. Use hot water and leave to dry for at least 48 hours," he said.

“If you or your dog goes into a stream, do not go into another stream on the same day.

“If any members of the public notice any dead crayfish in any watercourse please do not handle or remove the dead crayfish but report it to our incident hotline on 0800 80 70 60.”