FUNFAIR bosses have strongly denied being responsible for discarding dozens of goldfish on grassland. 

Complaints made to Colchester Council stated dozens of fish has been left to die after Colchester Fun Park left the site, on land off Cymbeline Way.

The fair had run in April and May. 

A complaint was subsequently made to the council which launched an investigation.

A spokeswoman for the fair strongly denied anyone associated with the fair was responsible and questioned how the fish had been dumped on the site.

She said: "We scoured that land before we left, right down to the fag butts, which we cleaned away.

"There wasn't a trace of goldfish then."

She added: "The landowners also checked it because they like to keep it immaculate.

"I really am questioning how they came to be there.

"We are an honest fair and we want to give families who can't afford much an affordable day out, that's all.

"There won't be any fish at the fair next year. We've never had them before and we won't be having them again."

Mike Lilley, Colchester councillor responsible for licensing and public safety, said: “As far as I am concerned, it is animal cruelty, pure and simple.

“They might be goldfish but they are entitled not to be discarded they way they have been.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s a cat, dog, horse or squirrel, no animals should be treated this way.”

Mr Lilley (Lab), who is a former animal rights campaigner, added: “The issue we now have is, because this has happened on private land, there isn’t much we can actually do. As much as giving out live pets as prizes is not something we condone, our reach can only reach events which are on our land, which is a shame.”

A Colchester Council spokesman added: “We are saddened to learn that someone saw fit to abandon so many goldfish to die, seemingly without a thought for their welfare and suffering.

“Unfortunately, this incident appears to have taken place on private land over which we have no powers, but it may be a matter the RSPCA wishes to investigate.

“The council’s events policy for its parks and open spaces does exclude the use of performing animals, except those which are normally regarded as domesticated in the United Kingdom, such as horses, dogs, cats, birds used in falconry demonstrations, caged birds and rabbits, which may be used as an ancillary part of a performance.

“While the policy does not mention goldfish explicitly, we would not permit any animal to be offered as a prize at events held on council-owned land.”

An RSPCA spokesman said the organisation opposes giving live animals as prizes because winners are not able to give suitable prior consideration to the care the animals will need.