Plans to clean up rivers across England have been put on hold due to delays in funding from millions of pounds of sewage fines.

Labour is being pressured to commit to the future of an £11m fund launched by the last government, that would see fines levied against water firms used to improve England’s rivers, lakes and streams.

Charities, including the Rivers Trust and the Wildlife Trusts, say they are increasingly concerned Labour is going to discontinue the scheme and said such a move would put the Government’s manifesto commitments on rivers in doubt.