BOLTON Council is working with the Environment Agency to protect fish at a beauty spot — despite criticisms from local people.

Last week The Bolton News reported that scores of dead carp were found floating on a lake at Eatock Lodge in Westhoughton — and the council confirmed it had removed 150 of the dead fish.

The Environment Agency, which has visited the site, said the fish had died because of excess weeds.

These have grown in the “extreme” warm weather and produced high levels of carbon dioxide and depleted the levels of oxygen in the water.

The council said it is “doing all it can” to resolve the issue, but local resident, Clive Daubney, has called for more action.

The 62-year-old said: “Bolton Council has a duty of care to look after these fish and I don’t think they are doing.

"This warm weather is set to continue and there is no sign of anything being done to oxygenate the water —I wouldn’t be surprised if there are more dead fish there soon."

A spokesman for the Environment Agency confirmed a method of oxygenating the water, using an aeration unit, is available for the council to use.

He said: “That option is there, but this process would take a minimum of three days to complete and needs 24-hour supervision — we do understand the practicalities that come with that.

“We are happy that Bolton Council is doing what it can and we are continuing to speak to them to provide information and advice.”

Mr Daubney said he believes the council should have “grabbed the offer” of using the aeration unit “straight away”.”

He added: “Surely they can find someone to monitor it, it would be a stupid move not to take up this offer.”

Mr Daubney said he has now made the RSPCA aware of the situation and will be “very interested” to hear what they have to say.

In a response, a spokesman for Bolton Council said: “We are confident that this issue arose due to unusual weather conditions. We have been working closely with the Environment Agency and they under-stand that we are doing all we can. We are continuing to monitor and liaise with the Environment Agency.”