Government accused of failing to protect waterways from farm pollution

Anglers join conservationists in high court case, saying Cameron government is failing in legal duty to safeguard rivers and coasts from agricultural run-off

Conservationists and angling organisations have joined together in a legal challenge, accusing the government of failing to protect some of England's "most precious rivers" from agricultural pollution.

WWF UK, the Angling Trust and Fish Legal say they have been granted permission by the high court to pursue their challenge to protect rivers, lakes and coastal areas from further damage. They are seeking a judicial review, arguing that the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Environment Agency are failing in their legal duty to take the necessary action to tackle the problem.