There has been a “huge” loss of insects in streams because of sewage discharges, according to a conservation charity.

Wildfish surveyed five streams feeding into Windermere in Cumbria and found all saw a loss of wildlife, external downstream of waste water treatment plants.

The Save Windermere campaign said “everything up the food chain gets impacted” when insects start disappearing.

United Utilities, who run the treatment plants, said they operate “in line” with environmental permits but they are “committed to going further and doing more”.

The Environment Agency said it has started reviewing permits for the lake to identify if there is any further action they can take.