Teens in barriers danger at canal

Teenagers are risking their lives climbing over safety barriers near the collapsed Stourbridge Canal embankment, say officials.

Thousands of fish rescued from shallow parts of the canal since Sunday's breach have also been left in distress after water was deliberately emptied from the lock where they were being stored.

Fences were erected after a 20-metre stretch of the bank slumped into the River Stour near Stourton.

Trees were uprooted, and ground around the site, between Middle Bridge and Wordsley Junction, has been left unstable.

But groups of youths have been spotted scaling the 6ft-high barriers protecting people from the steep drop.

It has prompted British Waterways to issue a warning about the dangers. British Waterways spokeswoman Annabel Smith said: "We don't want people hanging around there.

"The fences have been put there for a reason. We are now putting panelling in the fences so that people cannot see through the fences."

Fishery experts from British Waterways found the stranded fish lying in low water after paddles on the lock were opened, allowing the water to escape.

They are now having to transport them to another part of the canal.