The UK’s hottest and driest spring on record has caused an increased risk to fish and wildlife as it has led to record levels of water pollution in rivers, according to the Angling Trust.

With just 14 per cent of the country’s rivers in good ecological health, the high temperatures have amplified nitrate and ammonia pollution, showing that global warming is placing “severe stress” on Britain’s waterways.

The Angling Trust said that river temperatures in England and Wales between March and June were the hottest since records began three years ago.