ENVIRONMENT officers are appealing for information to help identify the source of two oil spillages in the River Itchen.

For the past two Fridays parts of the River Itchen have become polluted with black oil, but officers from the Environment Agency have yet to find the actual source, despite a number of suggestions.

A nearby housing estate and an old boatyard which is currently being demolished have been suggested as possible sources for the oil slicks.

A spokesman for the Environment Agency said: "Not a lot has changed since the weekend, but our investigations are still ongoing.

"We are not ruling out any possibilities and are searching the area thoroughly to find the source to avoid a further leak this Friday as it seems to be following a pattern.

"Any information would be gratefully received about where the oil is coming from, but the recent spillages have been cleared up.

"We are looking at a number of sources."

Animal welfare officers in Southampton had to rescue more than 35 swans which were found covered in black oil after the latest oil slick was discovered last Friday near the Cobden Bridge - exactly seven days after the Environment Agency and the RSPCA were first called to Riverside Park in the Bitterne Park area of Southampton for a similar spillage.

Then, 18 swans were found covered in black oil, along with two grebes which had died from exposure.

At first the authorities could not work out where the substance came from.

They were also forced to move an entire flock of 40 swans away from the affected stretch of the waterway until the source of the slick is found.

The slick eventually dissipated and as the affected swans had all been caught and taken to animal sanctuaries for cleaning, no further action was taken.

Environment chiefs are promising to find the source and will pursue those responsible for the spill through the courts.