About 1,000 fish, stranded in flood water at an Oxford beauty spot, were saved from death yesterday and returned to the river.

Each spring, the River Thames at Port Meadow bursts its banks, spilling into the meadow and taking with it shoals of fish.

Once the flood water has receded there is a high risk that the fish could become trapped as they are actively seeking spawning sites.

Fisheries officer Darren Bedworth with a rescued bream

Small fish are also at risk from predators, such as herons.

Yesterday, Environment Agency fisheries officers rescued the fish using large nets and electromagnetic fishing equipment.

Fisheries officer Darren Bedworth said: "The day went very well. The adult fish we rescued will now be able to spawn in the Thames next year. Our actions today will give an important boost to the fish population along this stretch of the Thames."

Species rescued included bream, carp, pike, roach and gudgeon. Some of the largest fish weighed up to 18lb.

Across the country, agency fisheries staff carry out more than 400 emergency fish rescues and save one million fish every year. In recent years, the Thames has become cleaner and there are now 118 different species living in the river.