Most of Europe's rivers and lakes fail water quality tests – report

Only 40% of waterways surveyed were in a good ecological state - with England one of the worst offenders

The vast majority of Europe's rivers, lakes and estuaries have failed to meet minimum ecological standards for habitat degradation and pollution, according to a damning new report.

Only 40% of surface water bodies surveyed by the European Environmental Agency (EEA) were found to be in a good ecological state, despite EU laws and biodiversity protocols.