ENVIRONMENTAL bosses have launched an investigation after a Bolton woman complained that a stream near her home looked like the inside of a washing machine.

Ann-Marie Kay, from Bolton Road, Westhoughton, called the Environment Agency when she spotted foam at least 10 feet high in a stream that leads to Bellhouse Lodge.

She was concerned that the substance -- which looked like detergent -- could be harmful to wildlife in the area, including fish, swans, ducks and squirrels.

And she says the foam was spoiling a beauty spot which is well-loved by local residents.

"At first glance it looked as though it had come from a washing machine, but there was an awful lot of it. We want it to be cleaned up as soon as possible because it could have quite a bad effect on the wildlife," she said.

"It is a lovely area round here and we do not want it to be spoiled by industry and we hope the problem gets sorted as soon as possible before any real damage is done."

The Environment Agency is working with Bolton Council to try to pinpoint the source of the foam.

A spokesman said: "It looks as though it is an outfall of surface water from a drain or a sewer and we believe it is travelling downstream, from somewhere south of the A6.

"We are working with the local council to identify the source and to clear the drainage system, but we are looking at the probability is is some kind of washing detergent."

Samples have been taken from the water so the agency can identify what the substance is, but experts do not believe it poses any serious risk.

He added: "There could be a risk to fish and we will be doing a chemical analysis, but there is certainly no risk to people. Our environmental protection team will be monitoring the situation, but as far as we know no wildlife has been killed."