The Environment Agency have investigated a popular fishing spot in Cowley after dead fish were found floating in a lake.

Colin Cowell reported seeing dead fish in Little Britain Lake in Packet Boat Lane to the Environment Agency, who sent a fisheries officer down to the lake to invesitgate.

“The last time I was there I counted 17 dead carp all about 12 to 15 lbs and four of the lakes bigger carp that were all over 30+lbs, which is a great shame,” Mr Cowell said.

Phil Belfield, Environment Agency Fisheries Technical Specialist said the likely cause of the fish mortality was an excessive growth of floating duck weed, which can in exceptional circumstances cause dissolved oxygen levels within a lake to fall.

He said: “A fisheries officer attended the site on Wednesday, July 30, following reports of dead fish and advised Hillingdon Council to deploy aeration equipment in the lake. The officer observed a small number of dead fish on the visit.

“A fisheries officer also attended the site on Sunday, August 3 and gave assistance to Hillingdon Council on how to manage the aeration units that had been deployed."

Little Britain Lake was open to the public on Sunday for the second popular council run Family Fishing Day, where parents and children can try their hand at fishing for free.

The day ran as planned and was hailed a great success with a number of families turning out.

Mr Belfield said the fish deaths were in no-way related to flooding or a Flood Alert that was in place on the Lower Colne.