ANGLING has been banned in the grounds of a stately home in Times Territory after an outbreak of a deadly fish disease.

The ban was imposed by the Environment Agency, after a number of carp were found dead in a section of the River Lea which winds through the Brocket Hall estate in Lemsford.

Tests later established that they had died from Koi Herpesvirus, a highly contagious piscatorial disease for which there is no cure.

The section of river will now be closed to anglers until the fatalities cease.

Experts at The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) are investigating.

They say the most likely cause was the illegal release of an infected aquarium goldfish into the river.

Nicky Garner, for Brocket Hall, said both the Environment Agency and Cefas were contacted as soon as the dead carp were discovered.

She said: “For the time being we are not allowed to fish the river.

“We only have a few members and select guests that do this.

“However, we believe some people come onto the estate by means of footpaths at night and fish without our permission.”

There is no risk to human health from the outbreak.