'Don't move fish to drought-hit lake' warns council

Great crested newts live in the Common's lake, the council said

Fish must not be moved into a boating lake which is home to a legally-protected species of newt, a council has said.

Southampton City Council said it had been told people had moved fish into the boating lake on Southampton Common. It said great crested newts lived there and were now at risk from the fish.

The council which maintains the lake said the newts' tadpoles and efts (baby newts) could be eaten by the fish. The fish, it said, would need to be removed to prevent further damage.

It said it understood "public concern" for fish affected by drought but disturbing habitats was a criminal offence and moving the fish risked spreading disease.

The council also expained that topping up drought-affected ponds and lakes with water from elsewhere - with drinking water for example - would be more damaging to fish and wildlife.

In a statement it said: "Please be assured we are actively collaborating with organisations, including the Environment Agency, to look at long term strategies to enhance the resilience of our water bodies and other habitats against increasingly extreme weather events driven by climate change."