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Piranhas block Shropshire sewer
 One of the dead piranhas that blocked a sewer in Shropshire.
One of the dead piranhas that blocked a sewer in Shropshire.

Resident had flushed fish down the toilet

A Shropshire stink has been traced to piranhas that were blocking the sewers.

Residents in Madeley, Telford, called Severn Trent Water complaining of a fishy smell coming from the sewers.

The water firm sent a team to investigate – and were surprised to find dead piranha fish.

"It appears that a nearby resident had been disposing of dead fish, including piranhas, down the toilet and they had blocked the sewers," said a spokeswoman for the water firm.

Matt Final and Jay Slater from Severn Trent Water who found the fish said: “We’ve certainly seen some weird things in the sewers over the years but we were a little shocked to remove piranhas.

"You wouldn’t think a fish of this size would fit down a toilet, but this is just one example of amazing things we find blocking the sewers.”

The company said it is just one example of inappropriate objects being flushed down the toilet.

In the past year its has been called to nearly 4,000 blockages in Shropshire, about 75 per cent of which were due to people misusing the sewer system. In January it recovered a pile of pants that had been flushed away.

The firm said the blockages are costing the firm more than £10m a year to clean up.

Image by Severn Trent Water

 

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RCVS announces 1CPD app update

News Story 1
 The RCVS has announced a new version of its 1CPD mobile app, with enhanced features for veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses to record their continuing professional development.

The mobile app includes a new 'what would you like to do?' shortcut for frequent tasks, a notification badge, and the ability to scan a QR code from the home screen to easily record an activity.

Users will be prompted to update the app from the App Store or Google Play the next time they log in. For more information, visit RCVS.org.uk 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Nominations open for RCVS and VN Council elections

The nomination period for the 2026 RCVS Council and VN Council elections is now open, with three veterinary surgeon seats and two veterinary nurse seats available.

Prospective candidates can download an information pack and nomination form from the RCVS website. Individuals can nominate themselves for the elections, with the results to be announced in the spring.

Clare Paget, the recently appointed RCVS Registrar and elections returning officer, said: "If you want to play your part in influencing and moulding how the professions are regulated, and making key decisions on matters of great importance to your peers, the public and animal health and welfare, please consider standing for RCVS Council or VN Council next year."

Nominations close at 5pm on Saturday, 31 January 2026.