An environment hit squad scoured the waterways of flood-ravaged Lewes yesterday - to find and catch missing goldfish.

Ornamental garden fish were some of the forgotten victims of last week's downpour as many were washed from their homes in private ponds and ended up in the River Ouse.

But for the Environment Agency, catching them and rehousing them is an important part of the clean-up operation.

While ornamental fish can live happily in the river, many non-native species pose a threat to the genetic purity of the indigenous fish in the waterways.

So, dressed neck to toe in layers of bright protective clothing, a team from the agency took a boat into a tributary of the river to rescue the pond pets.

Fisheries officer Dan Hurford said: "A lot of ornamental fish were displaced by the floods and they could be detrimental to the ecology if they cross-breed with the river fish. There can be genetic problems as a result.

"We are only removing ornamental fish from the water or those that would benefit from being given a new home.

"We are stunning them with electro-fishing equipment, which stops them being distressed when we take them out of the water. They come round again when we put them back in fresh water."

Members of the team wore protective clothing - which even included rubber gloves - to prevent them from getting a shock themselves.

Once stunned, the fish were caught in nets and put into barrels of fresh water ready to be rehoused in the garden ponds of Lewes.

Among the catch of two dozen fish caught in the sweep of the river were goldfish, sticklebacks and golden rudd.