A giant algae bloom covering a boating lake has decimated trade in nearby businesses with its stench and slimy appearance.
Most of the picturesque 50-acre lake in Poole Park, Dorset, is covered in green slime that has grown rapidly during the summer months.
A lakeside restaurant said business fell by 65 percent as the stench drove visitors away.
And members of a model boat club can no longer sail their miniatures in the lake due to the slimy surface.
Instead, they took their boats to a nearby yacht club for sailing and racing.
Pedal boat users have less space to paddle and are told to stay away from the green sludge as it clogs the paddle wheel.
Visitors have also seen swans struggling to paddle through the slime carpet.
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council (BCP) has been accused of not doing enough to clear the lake of algae, which has been branded a ‘disgrace’.
Smelly green algae has overwhelmed the boating lake at Poole Park, Dorset, scaring visitors away
Workers tried to remove the algae, leaving paddle boats fenced off and swans standing still
Bob Lister, founder of Friends of Poole Park, said: ‘The algae in the lake is a total disgrace. It stinks.’
And Nick Davies, owner of a restaurant and cafe in the park, said: ‘Sales are falling because no one is coming to the park and why should they? It stinks and it’s disgusting.
“The algae is allowed to stay and multiply and multiply.
‘Customers simply walk away because they don’t want to sit there and have a drink or something to eat, because they just look at smelly green algae.
‘We have calculated that our turnover has fallen by 65 percent.
“All the council had to do was drain the lake and fill it back up, but they didn’t worry about that.”
The bloom was caused by a combination of essential work to rebuild the lake lock and warm weather, which created ideal growing conditions.
BCP Council said it was beginning to physically remove clumps of algae in some areas of the lake.
A worker in the lake tries to remove the algae, the growth of which was promoted by this summer’s warm weather
Council member Andy Hadley said: ‘We know how much residents and visitors value Poole Park and understand the concerns about algae build-up in the lagoon during the recent extended spell of warm weather.
‘Our teams carry out targeted work to remove excess algae where practically possible, keeping the park attractive and enjoyable for people to use.
‘Further sessions are planned in the coming weeks and we will continue to monitor how effective this work is.
‘We have also continued to flush the lagoon during suitable spring tides, when conditions in Poole Harbor permit.
‘There is also excessive algae growth in other shallow parts of the port as a result of the persistent warm weather.
“We will continue to monitor the situation and take further appropriate action as necessary.”
