Possible contamination from an oil spill reported last week is being investigated by authorities.

The waste oil spill was reported on Wednesday on Buxton Road in Chingford .

The spilled oil was left staining the footway and carriageway.

Neighbourhoods Officers and Highway Officers from the council were quickly on scene to carry out an inspection of the area.

A specialist cleaning crew was immediately called and Neighbourhoods Officers remained on site to ensure the safety of the public.

The cleaning crew treated the oil following the incident and attended again the next morning to carry out a deep clean of the area in question.

The Environment Agency placed marine booms into the River Ching which will act as a barrier to capture the majority of the oil and absorption pads to soak up the oil.

Affected vegetation was removed and a tanker removed any remaining oil.

Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for the Environment Cllr Clyde Loakes said: "This is criminally irresponsible behaviour which caused damage to the environment and those responsible for it need to be brought to justice.

"We don’t know who caused the incident, but we’ll continue investigating to make sure the culprits are identified. I ask everyone who has any information to come forward and help us find those responsible for this oil spill."

The council is currently working with the Environment Agency to look into any possible contamination locally.