A giant algae bloom covering a boating lake has decimated trade at nearby businesses with its stink and slimy appearance.

Most of the picturesque 50-acre lake in Poole Park, Dorset, is covered in the green slime that has grown quickly during the summer months.

One lakeside restaurant said trade was down by 65 per cent as the stench drove visitors away.

And members of a model boat club can no longer sail their miniatures in the lake because of the slimy surface.

Instead they have taken their boats to a nearby yacht club for sailing and racing.

Pedalo users have less room in which to paddle and have been told to keep away from the green sludge because it clogs the paddle wheel.

Visitors have also seen swans struggling to paddle through the carpet of slime.

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council has been accused of not doing enough to clear the lake of the algae, which has been labelled a ‘disgrace’.

Stinking green algae has overwhelmed the boating lake at Poole Park, Dorset, driving visitors away

Workers tried to clear the algae, which has seen pedalos fenced in and swans stopped in their tracks

Bob Lister, a founder of the Friends of Poole Park, said: ‘The algae in the lake is a total disgrace. It stinks.’

And Nick Davies, who owns a restaurant and cafe at the park, said: ‘Turnover is down because nobody is coming to the park and why would they? It stinks and it is disgusting.

‘The algae has been allowed to remain and it multiplies and multiplies.

‘Customers just walk away because they don’t want to be sat outside by it and have a drink or a meal because all they are looking at is stinking green algae.

‘We have worked out that our turnover is down 65 per cent.

‘All the council had to do is drain the lake and fill it back up again bit they just haven’t bothered.’

The bloom has been caused by a combination of essential works to rebuild the lake’s sluice channel and the hot weather, which has created ideal growing conditions.

BCP Council said it was starting to physically remove clumps of algae in some parts of the lake.

A worker in the lake trying to clear the algae, the growth of which was helped by the hot weather this summer

Andy Hadley, a member of the council, said: ‘We know how much residents and visitors value Poole Park and understand concerns about the build-up of algae in the lagoon during the recent prolonged spell of hot weather.

‘Our teams are carrying out targeted work to remove excess algae where practical, helping to keep the park attractive and enjoyable for people to use.

‘Further sessions are planned over the coming weeks, and we will continue to monitor how effective this work is.

‘We have also continued to flush the lagoon during suitable spring tides, when conditions in Poole Harbour allow.

‘There is also excessive algal growth in other shallow areas of the harbour, due to the prolonged hot weather.

‘We will keep the situation under review and take further appropriate action where needed.’