Oxford: E. coli warning to wild swimmers after flooding

Water test results at Hinksey Lake have revealed E.Coli contamination

Wild swimmers have been warned to avoid a lake that has been contaminated by E. coli after recent flooding.

Oxford City Council said results of water testing in Hinksey Lake revealed increased levels of the bacteria.

It comes after Oxfordshire was deluged by heavy rainfall earlier this month, causing rivers to burst their banks and leaving roads and homes under water.

The authority warned there were likely to be similar levels of contamination in other open areas of water locally.

In a statement, it said: "We strongly advise against wild swimming at this time, given the enhanced water-quality risks and swollen river conditions.

"Although the recent extensive floodwater in the city is now receding, the ground remains saturated and river levels remain high.

"Any further rain in the coming weeks will result in further run off into water courses, increasing risks of strong currents and water contamination.

"These risks will therefore likely remain for some time to come."

Follow BBC South on Facebook, X, or Instagram. Send your story ideas to [e-mail].