THESE images show a 'foul' substance which 'smells like death' leaking into irrigation ditches near Dumbleton. 

Photographs, sent in by a walker, show a strange, oily ooze entering irrigation ditches in Dumbleton, near Evesham, although the source of the substance remains a mystery.

DEAD: Vegetation near the liquid which appears to be leaking into a drainage ditch from an unknown source DEAD: Vegetation near the liquid which appears to be leaking into a drainage ditch from an unknown source (Image: Supplied)

The man, who did not wish to be identified, said the leak was right next to a public footpath and he had raised the issue with various bodies in the hope something could be done.

He has reported the leak, which appeared to be killing off surrounding vegetation, to Severn Trent Water, Worcestershire Regulatory Services, Defra and has also called the Environment Agency but has yet to receive a satisfactory response from any official body.

MESS: The strange liquid in the irrigation ditch at Dumbleton MESS: The strange liquid in the irrigation ditch at Dumbleton (Image: Supplied)

 "It smells like dead people and a large part of the field (near the leak) has withered and died. It looked like an oil spill. I reported it to everybody I possibly could," said the man who says he first reported the issue to various bodies in May. 

REPORT: The report made to Worcestershire Regulatory Services in May REPORT: The report made to Worcestershire Regulatory Services in May (Image: Supplied)

He added: "I reported all of this initially a few months ago to all agencies I could think of as the discharge was killing crops and I felt was a danger to health as the local right of way was saturated in the fluid.

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"Since the dry spell and hedge trimming, I found the discharge pipe yesterday and have been on the phone to Severn Trent this morning, who have no record of my report from a few months ago, even although I personally walked the incident response team to the site."

A spokesperson for the Environment Agency, which handles enquiries of this nature on behalf of Defra, said they had received no official report but that one could be registered by calling 0800 807060, a number which was available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

We have also made enquiries with Worcestershire Regulatory Services, who said it was the responsibility of either the Environment Agency or Severn Trent Water.

Severn Trent Water declined to provide an official comment.