Flanders stream so polluted 'water could be used as pesticide'

Scientists say stream dubbed 'most polluted in Europe' is reminder of effects of intensive farming

Winding between green meadows in the west Flanders countryside, the Wulfdambeek stream is fondly remembered as a place local boys would fill up their water bottles before football games.

But research from the University of Exeter has offered a sharp reminder of how intensive farming methods are changing the face of the northern European countryside in ways scientists claim are not being properly understood.