A SUBSTANCE poured down a drain on the roadside in the Lake District led to 'immediate action' from the Environment Agency after a beck turned milky-grey. 

On the morning of Monday, May 6 the agency received a report of an incident close to Mill Beck, Windermere. 

A resident told this publication that someone had 'tipped either paint or glue down the drain.' 

The Mail: The Environment Agency reminded residents not to tip things down roadside drainsThe Environment Agency reminded residents not to tip things down roadside drains (Image: Sarah Clayton)

A spokesperson for the Environment Agency it took 'immediate action' after receiving the report. 

They added: "The site was inspected and local residents were reminded about how to dispose of waste liquids appropriately.

The Mail: Mill Beck is in Windermere, and discharges into the lakeMill Beck is in Windermere, and discharges into the lake (Image: Sarah Clayton)

“It is an offence to tip paint, glue, detergents, cooking oil and other polluting liquids into roadside drains as doing so damages local rivers and harms the wildlife that depend on them.

The Mail: Where the roadside drain meets the beckWhere the roadside drain meets the beck (Image: Sarah Clayton)

"We would urge everyone to use their local council facilities to dispose of these products safely and report potential pollution incidents to our 24 hour pollution hotline 0800 80 70 60.”