FISHERMEN can't cast their lines at a lake in Earley closed because of high levels of blue green algae.

Maiden Erlegh lake has experienced a surge of excess algae on the surface of the water.

Earley Town Council have installed water pumps in an attempt to pump extra oxygen into the water to remove the algae, but their efforts have yet to be successful.

Alan Hughes, member of the Courage S/E Angling Club in Reading, said he and a group of anglers were booked to fish at the lake this weekend.

But after the lake was closed off to fisherman, they decided to take their business elsewhere as it wasn't "worth the risk".

Mr Hughes said: "It's a very nasty thing (algae), hopefully with this rain that we are having now it will clear off within a few days.

"We were booked to go there this weekend but we cancelled because it wasn't worth the risk, unfortunately these things happen."

Mr Hughes said the group are heading to a stretch of water near Longwater Avenue in Green Park instead, to fish for Roach, Perch and Bream.

He highlighted the threat of excess Algae to the environment and the habitats surrounding lakes.

Mr Hughes said: "Algae can affect all the animals living in a lake," the fisherman said.

"If the weather had stayed warmer we could well be finding that it can grow to three feet deep and choke the lake."

The town council has enlisted the help of the Environment Agency, who have told them to close off the lake for fishing until they decide it can be re-opened.

Philip Truppin, Earley's town clerk, said he hopes the environment agency will allow the lake to be re-opened for fishing next week.

Mr Truppin said: "The lake is closed on advice from the Environment Agency. The water is being aerated by the Town Council and we are hoping for some lower temperatures and rainfall early next week."

Grahame Hawker, senior park ranger at the town council, said that the lack of rainfall has been a contributing factor to the rise of algae population on the lake.

Mr Hawker also advised dog walkers to keep their pets out of the lake and the neighbouring streams.