The Environment Agency has said foam released into the river Wandle after it was used to tackle a serious fire is not expected to impact on wildlife.

The Government agency, that is currently cleaning up the river, has moved to reassure residents who feared wildlife in the area could be seriously affected.

Banks of foam collected along a 10km stretch of the river after the fire at a waste tyre processing plant on the Purley Way in Croydon on Thursday.

The agency said firefighters used the foam in order to bring the fire under control as quickly as possible, and the brigade's approach minimised disruption on the nearby A23 and reduced the impact of the fire on the environment Environment Agency staff have since deployed aerating equipment as a precaution.

Volunteers from The Wandle Trust are also helping to monitor the river.

The Environment Agency was consulted prior to the foam being used and does not expect there to be any impact on wildlife in the area.

Barrie Neaves, the agency's area base controller said "Our officers have been working closely with the fire brigade to minimise the amount of foam on the river.

Although it looks quite dramatic, we don’t expect there to be any impact on the local wildlife.

The foam is non toxic and water based, so it will evaporate and or become diluted in the river.”

But residents living close to the river have said they are concerned wildlife have been affected.

Jim Duffy, 58, from Birchwood Avenue, Hackbridge, a volunteer from the London Wildlife Trust, said: "All the wildlife have disappeared. Where you are guaranteed to see fish there are none, while none of the birds want to go onto the river."

Members of the public are asked not to touch the foam and can call the Environment Agency's 24 hour incident hotline on 0800 807060 if further information is required.