Dozens of fish have died after the water level at a picturesque lake was deliberately lowered.

The upper lake on Earlswood Common has been partially drained so it can be cleared of rubbish and debris – and so any fish in the lake can be removed.

But, despite Reigate and Banstead Borough Council insisting the lower water level remains safe for fish, several have perished in the shallows.

Dogwalker Andrew Murrell, 48, walks across the common daily and alerted the Mirror to the problem.

He said: "I first noticed they were draining the lake on Tuesday last week and thought the water level was much lower than it has ever been before. It was so shallow swans were walking in the water.

"The next day I came back and half of the lake had disappeared. I could see at least 20 dead fish lying in the mud.

"I thought something had gone seriously wrong – it must be a mistake for the water to be that low."

The council told the Mirror the upper lake is not supposed to contain any fish, and claims they only found two dead fish when they checked the site on Friday afternoon.

A spokeswoman for the council said: "The water level at Earlswood's upper lake is being lowered so the lake can be cleared of rubbish and debris – including a bench that was thrown in last weekend – and so the fish in the lake can be netted and put in the lower lake.

"Angling is not permitted on the upper lake, which is retained as a haven for wildlife. So that it does not become attractive to illegal anglers, the lake is netted about once a year to remove any fish that have been introduced.

"The water level varies at different points around the lake and although in some places it now appears quite shallow, we are assured it remains safe for the fish and they are capable of getting back into deeper water."

But, for Mr Murrell, this explanation is not good enough.

He said: "Lakes are supposed to have fish in them, what else are the herons supposed to eat?

"And there's been debris in the lake for over 30 years, I'm baffled as to why they've suddenly decided to do something about it now.

"There were dead fish everywhere earlier this week. There's been heavy rain since which might have washed away the evidence, but I saw them. They were definitely there."

When the Mirror visited the lake on Friday morning, several dead fish were spotted in the shallows.

The lake is now being allowed to refill naturally from Chain Pond and other natural sources.

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