The start of the summer holiday season in Maldon has been marred by the emergency closure of the lake in Promenade Park.

Kiosk owners in the park and parents are up in arms after the First day of the summer holiday was ruined for many of Maldon's youngsters.

Maldon District Council took the decision to close the popular lake on Sunday amid fears that too much algae meant it was not suitable for bathing.

The lake has been fenced off and signs have been put up while the water is drained and the lake refilled.

The lake is, as a matter of course, refilled with fresh water every six weeks. But recent heavy rain has caused a "worse than normal" build up of algae, prompting the emergency measures.

Kiosk owners are outraged at the move, which they say is affecting their business.

Kevin Stubbs, owner of kiosk number one, said: "First there was the closure of the park due to foot-and-mouth and now this."

Mr Stubbs and Mark Harrison, manager of the Ice Box kiosk, have put up posters around the park urging people to contact the council "to express their dissatisfaction".

Mums were also upset that the lake was off-limits. Marie Beavis, of Bergen Court, Maldon, said: "It is totally outrageous."

Although the council realises people may have been disappointed by the closure, it stressed they are "necessary precautions".

Trudy Bragg, head of environmental services, said: "It doesn't look very nice, but there is no reason to believe anything is wrong with it.

"We have checked with the Environment Agency and they informed us that people who have recently been in the water should not suffer from any ill-health.

"If they do feel bad with an upset stomach, for example, they should consult their GP."

The council is hoping the lake will reopen tomorrow (Wednesday).

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