SEVERAL species of fish were spotted for the first time in the River Cherwell following a survey involving stunning them.

Nature conservationists from the Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) used electric shock technology to stun the fish over a 75-yard stretch of the river in Banbury on Tuesday before collecting them in nets.

The fish were then measured and identified for a survey that will help a major makeover of Spiceball Park this autumn, before being released back into the river.

Among the species discovered for the first time in the river were pike, bream, roach and gudgeon.

BBOWT spokeswoman Wendy Tobitt said: “The main thing was that were more varieties of fish than we thought and that was the whole point of doing the exercise.”

Project leader Judith Hartley, from BBOWT, said: “Most of them were in the part of the river where the trees are less overgrown, which shows the benefits of letting more light into the river.

“The work we’re doing in the autumn will include removing some of the trees to allow more sunlight in, and increase the variety of riverside plants. We hope to put a fish ladder further down the river which will allow more fish to avoid the concrete weir and use the river upstream.”