A study by the Food Standards Agency found the amounts of lead, copper, zinc and arsenic in grayling and trout to be around normal levels.

Concentrations of lead, mercury and cadmium were below legal limits. And testers said eating three 140g portions of fish from the river a week would contribute to only eight per cent of the recommended weekly cadmium limit.

This was the second batch of fish to be checked and cleared by the FSA.
The Anglers' Conservation Association had raised concerns about levels of heavy metals in the river following a lagoon breach at Glebe Mines in January 2007.

FSA investigation team leader Mark Cunningham said: "There has been some speculation about the safety of the fish and I hope the outcome of the FSA's assessment will help to put minds at rest. We will continue to monitor the river for as long as it takes."

The ACA said it still had fears about safety.

Glebe Mines' ecological consultants, were due to conduct trial remediation work in Calver yesterday.