There are fears the heatwave has led to the death of up 1,000 fish after they suffocated in an oxygen-starved Kent lake.

Anglers and Environment Agency staff are now involved in a race against time to try and save the few remaining.

Pictures of the sad sight of carp and other species piled on the banks of the Fordwich lake near Canterbury have been posted on social media.

The 31-acre fishery is managed by the Canterbury and District Angling Association, whose chairman Ron Meares says it is a heartbreaking situation.

He now fears the entire stock of the popular lake, which has been fished for decades and is highly rated by anglers, could be wiped out.

“We have never known anything like it but are working with the Environment Agency, who have loaned us about six aerators to try and pump some oxygen into the water,” he said.

“But it is a big lake and I’m not sure it will be enough.”

Mr Meares says a combination of the extreme dry weather and algae bloom, and the fact it is quite a shallow lake, have created conditions that have left the fish struggling to breathe.

Local angler Ray Long highlighted the incident on the Freshwater Informer Facebook page.

“With a heavy heart, I would like to inform you of a catastrophic oxygen crash at Canterbury and District Angling Association’s famous Fordwich Lake,” he said.

“It has killed more than likely all the stock.”

In response, Roger Stanger said: “Fordwich Lake found a way into so many hearts over the years. Such a beautiful and picturesque water with so many stunning fish of all varieties.

“I’m completely devastated, along with everyone else that ventured on there over the years.”

Sy Kitch added: “I can’t believe this has happened to such a beautiful lake where I have 30 years of memories - a very sad day for me.”

Mr Meares says the lake is now being cleared of as many of the dead fish, mainly carp, as possible.

“We will only then be able to assess the full situation and damage and will have to put in place a long-term recovery plan for the future of the lake,” he said.

But some fisherman have claimed that over ground baiting for carp has contributed to the surge in blue/green algae.

An Environment Agency spokesperson says algae is currently an issue in other stillwater locations in Kent, and not isolated to Fordwich.

“Officers responded swiftly to reports of dead fish at a private fishery at Fordwich Lake,” he said.

“Surveys carried out by our specialist fisheries officers suggest that there are no obvious signs of pollution, with the incident thought to be caused by prolonged dry weather impacts, but investigations are ongoing.

“We have also supplied aeration equipment to the fishery to boost oxygen levels in the water and to limit further fish deaths."

Members of the public are encouraged to report any environmental incidents via 24-hour free incident hotline 0800 807060.