SALMON are believed to be spawning in the River Dearne for the first time in more than 150 years.
A 14cm juvenile salmon was found by Environment Agency workers who were carrying out a fish survey in the river last week.
It was found on a stretch of the Dearne close to Pastures Road in Mexborough and experts believe the discovery can be linked to an engineering project which aimed to clear up the Dearne – once considered one of the most polluted river systems in Britain.
Jerome Masters, Environment Agency fisheries technical officer said: "Our rivers are the healthiest for more than 20 years and otters, salmon and other wildlife are returning for the first time since the industrial revolution."
