Lake revamp follows fish deaths

Some of the dead carp plucked from the lake were valued at £600

A council is to spend more than £300,000 on the restoration of a Powys lake where thousands of fish died last summer.

Last July's heatwave stimulated the growth of a blue-green algae which starved fish in the 10-acre wildlife haven, in Llandrindod Wells, of oxygen.

Owners Powys Council said it was an "important tourist attraction", and work could start later this year.

Dead carp, some worth up to £600 each, were plucked out of the lake.

Radnorshire Wildlife Trust described the problem as a wildlife "disaster" last summer and warned that it could happen again unless steps were taken to improve a lake's eco-system.

A Powys Council spokesman said: "To safeguard the future of the lake in Llandrindod Wells, the ecological balance has to be restored to ensure that there isn't a repeat of the unfortunate incident that happened last summer."

Pumps were used to re-oxygenate the lake

"Robust and balanced proposals" for its future management had been developed, while the council board had agreed to spend £310,000 on the project.

The wildlife trust's Julian Jones said last July that reeds and other vegetation had to be planted to discourage algae.

But Powys Council said fish and geese had eaten plants in the past.

Dead carp, some weighing up to 25lbs (11.3 kilos) and worth up to £600 each, and thousands of smaller fish, were plucked out of the lake by workers in protective clothing using nets.

Special pumps were used to re-oxygenate the lake and the fire service supplied fresh water in an attempt to save what was left of the marine life.