SHOCKED residents have claimed "dead fish and ducks" have been spotted "floating on the surface” of a lake in a Southend park.

Julie Callow, from Southend, claims she found “ten large dead fish” earlier this week when she visited Southchurch Park East.

The environmentalist claims the animals were found in a small “overflow lake” which is used to prevent flooding during periods of high rain.

When she returned to the park yesterday, she claims she found ducks which had tragically passed away.

Julie also claims a “vile odour” is coming from the lake and urge Southend Council to take action to clean the lake urgently.

She said: “For me, this is an emotional thing as I help and catch ducks and I could see loads of dead fish, quite large in there.

“I saw around ten dead fish in there and the friend I went down there with thought they were carrier bags on the water, it seems like a regular issue, how can this be, okay?

“It could be a heron, but for this to happen all of a sudden could mean water level issues and issues with the overflow.”

Given her close relationship with the nature of the area, Julie has said the sight has “caused an impact” on her.

Previously, “15” dead fish were found in the Southchurch Park in 2019, however thus was later blamed on fish owners “dumping unwanted pets” in the park lake.

“It is about the wildlife for me, we have lost 70 per cent of out wildlife and we are losing more and more, it is really upsetting that this could be remedied, no one wants to stick their necks out,” she said.

“I have released eight ducks there and would hate to think any of them could die, I have been told they will be alright, but we shouldn’t have it.

“It smells bad and when I was down there, there was a sulphurous smell around the lake and you can smell it in the hot weather, you could smell rotting fish.”

A Southend council spokesman said: "A member of our parks team has checked the pond at Southchurch Park East and there were no signs of any surface scum or dead fish.

"Hot weather can reduce oxygen levels in the water, affecting aquatic life and sometimes resulting in fish deaths.

"The surface scum you see can be formed by various types of algae, which thrive in warm conditions. This is a natural occurrence and not unusual."