A BARGE that sank and leaked sewage into the River Itchen has been salvaged.

The MV Humber Star was recovered from the riverbed off Woolston Jetty after sitting partially submerged for a week.

The 40-year-old vessel is used by Southern Water to transport treated sewage from Woolston to Marchwood.

Oran Environmental Services, the owner of the barge, is continuing its investigation into why it suddenly started taking on water and sunk on March 20.

The 148ft barge is now at Marchwood slipway on the Waterside.