CARMARTHEN East and Dinefwr AM Adam Price has called for urgent action in the wake of the oil spill at Nantycaws where up to 100,000 litres of aviation fuel has leaked into nearby streams and rivers, killing fish and polluting the environment.

A clean-up operation began yesterday after the pipeline leak spilled thousands of litres of kerosene into Nant Pibwr on Tuesday.

Residents were told to close windows and doors in the immediate aftermath of the spill, which has affected both Nantycaws Brook and Nant Pibwr.

Mr Price described the spill as a "major incident" as Natural Resources Wales moved in to assess the full impact of the leak from a pipeline running alongside the A48 that carries the fuel from the Valero refinery in Pembrokeshire to the Midlands in England.

South Wales Operational Resources Manager of Natural Resources Wales, Aneurin Cox, said the agency was working with partner organisations to assess and minimise the risk to public health and the environment.

“We are doing all we can to stop the pollution and reduce its impact on fish and other wildlife that depend on the river,” she added.

Mr Price and constituency colleague, Jonathan Edwards MP, are due to meet land owners on Friday, October 7, to discuss the incident and see for themselves some of the damage caused to the rivers, land and wildlife.

In the meantime, Mr Price tabled a series of questions to the Welsh Government’s cabinet secretary for environment and rural affairs Lesley Griffiths to discover the full extent of the spill and its subsequent impact.

"There is no doubt that 100,000 litres of kerosene oil is a significant breach of the pipeline which could cause unprecedented damage to the area,” said Mr Price.

"I am deeply concerned that statements provided to me yesterday suggested this was not as serious as we now know it to be.

"This is a major incident and every available resource needs to be directed to the site to contain contamination levels and protect the rivers, land and wildlife.

"Public health must be the number one priority. I would encourage all residents to follow the safety advice provided."

If anyone sees signs of dead fish or any wildlife in distress or has any information about the incident please report this to Natural Resources Wales on our incident hotline on 0800 807060.