A popular lakeside restaurant had to be evacuated after it started sinking into the water.

Christmas shoppers heading over the Dartford Crossing to visit Lakeside Shopping Centre in Essex spotted the Miller and Carter restaurant submerged into the lake.

Many were shocked by the sight of the lop-sided restaurant that had started slowly sliding into an adjacent reservoir.

One onlooker described it as "going down like the Titanic".

The popular steakhouse started to lean precariously this morning and has since been closed and the building evacuated.

The business sits on a converted paddle steamer and a statement from Miller and Carter said the sinking was related to "structural issues."

A spokesperson for the said "Unfortunately, we will be closed until further notice due to structural issues.

"We will contact every guest as soon as possible, for safety reasons we are unable to access our restaurant to answer any phone calls.

"Management will be calling all guests with upcoming bookings. We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience caused."

The company added: "If you have a booking with them today please give us a call on 01268 544714 or book your table at Langdon Hills instead.

"We will answer as many calls as we can to accommodate you.

"Please do not try and call Miller and Carter Lakeside at this time as they are working hard to try and rectify this situation.

"Thank you and sorry for any inconvenience."

"Please do not try and call Miller and Carter Lakeside at this time as they are working hard to try and rectify this situation."

Essex County Fire and Rescue Service added: "We were informed of the incident, but as no one was onboard (after the evacuation) there was no life risks and therefore we were not required to attend.

"The incident has been left in the care of the site owners."

Lakeside's centre director Howard Oldstein said the boat appeared to have stopped sinking and was sitting on the water at about a "30% decline".

He told the BBC that about half a dozen staff were preparing to open for lunch when water started to "ingress".

The cause of the incident is not yet unknown.