Fish removed from 'disgusting' dried-out lake

Cara Shepherd said the lake is "not a habitat for fish" anymore

Locals have shown disdain for a "disgusting" lake that was so dried out the fish needed temporary relocation.

The lake is the focal point of Markhams Chase Recreation Ground in Laindon, near Basildon in Essex.

Aiden McGurran, the Labour cabinet member for Environment and Leisure at Basildon Council, said: "The lake's area could look better, but we are aware of that. Some work has already taken place and more is in the pipeline."

Cara Shepherd, 23, who moved to the area three months ago, said: "It is disgusting, there's no water in here, it's completely getting dried out. It's basically a mud fester really. There is nothing in this lake no more."

"When I first moved here it was decent, and over the last couple of weeks it has dramatically dropped," she said. "People are chucking all their lifebuoys in here, footballs, rubbish.

"It's not even a habitat anymore for fish... (or) for kids to come round and look at."

The Environment Agency said low water levels during prolonged dry weather led to a fish relocation.

"This lake is experiencing significant stress due to current weather conditions," a spokesperson said.

'Big hole full of mud'

Ricky Clowes has seen trolleys and dead fish on the water's surface

Chairman of the local community centre, Ricky Clowes, 65, said the lake was once teeming with life and popular with anglers, but he had watched it deteriorate.

"It looks like a big hole full of mud," he said. "I think there's shopping trolleys in there, and I think there's still dead fish laying on the top.

"The fire brigade used to come and fill it up when it was going down low, but even that's been stopped now."

Regular checks

Aiden McGurran confirmed some of the larger fish were moved temporarily during a period of hot weather - while both the park's lakes needed topping up.

He said fishing bailiffs carried out regular checks on the lakes over the summer and the council was not 'blissfully unaware of the situation'.

McGurran hoped a programme to desilt the lakes will be approved, in order to restore its original depth, while clearing up litter and cutting back vegetation may also be looked at.

"Hopefully that will improve matters going forward," he said.