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Pic: NessSalmonFishery/BNPS

Alien invasion...Male Pacific salmon caught on the river Ness.

Britain's native salmon stocks are under threat after hundreds of Pacific Ocean-dwelling pink salmon have been reported in the north east of England - 10,000 miles from their natural habitat.

The Pacific pink salmon is usually found in the chilly waters of Canada and Alaska, but have been caught in droves recently from the sea and tidal rivers in Yorkshire and the North East.

The Environment Agency is advising anglers to kill any pink salmon they capture and report any sightings to them as many organisations and anglers are concerned it could put more pressure on the endangered native wild Atlantic salmon.

The EA said about 200 Pacific pink salmon were caught in the Yorkshire and North East coastal net fishery and several had been caught by individual anglers in the River Tyne and River Coquet.

There have also been confirmed catches in rivers in Scotland and Western Ireland recently.