AN INVESTIGATION is under way after eco-teams were called out to clear up a large oil spill on the River Dee in Chester at the weekend.

Officers from the Environmental Agency North West and Wales teams were called on Saturday to tackle the incident, which saw residual oil floating along the surface of the river.

Environment Agency officers stationed themselves just off the James Edwards Land Rover dealership off Sealand Road on Monday for the mopping-up operation.

They cleared away the spillage, which was traced to drains near the Cop park.

The investigation has so far revealed the source of the spillage is upstream, closer to the city centre, but its precise location is as yet unknown.

Carol Nadin of the Environment Agency said: “An oil spill occurred on Saturday on a tributary of the River Dee close to Chester city centre.

“Oil entered the river leaving an iridescent film on the River Dee.

“At the time there was a strong smell of fuel oil in the tributary.

“At present there are no reports of impact to wildlife and fish.

“Officers from the Environment Agency attended the incident and located the source of the spill. The incident has now been contained and a clean up is under way.

“We are monitoring the situation and investigating the cause of the spill.”

United Utilities spokesman Nick Hulme confirmed the company had been made aware of the spillage, but added there were no health issues with the city’s drinking water as a result of it.