THE director of Lakeside has spoken out for the first time since the Miller and Carter floating restaurant sunk into a lake.

Yesterday, pictures showed part of the Miller and Carter restaurant in Lakeside, starting to sink underwater.

Bosses of the chain confirmed they will be closed until further notice due to “structural issues”.

READ MORE >> Miller and Carter's popular Lakeside floating restaurant 'is sinking'

They have also contacted guests to inform them of the unforeseeable incident and issue refunds as quickly as possible.

Howard Oldstein, the Lakeside director, has since told the BBC that around half a dozen staff were preparing to open for lunch when water started to “ingress”.

He said: “The important thing is to make sure it is safe, and we are discussing that with the restaurant’s owners.”

He added how the boat has appeared to have stopping sinking and was now sitting on the water at about a 30 per cent decline.

Mr Oldstein said they are still unsure what the cause of the incident at this time.