Multiple people reportedly sick after entering lake

Multiple people have reportedly fallen ill after entering a West Sussex lake.

Horsham District Council told the BBC it knew of online reports that a "number of individuals have experienced illness, potentially as a result of entering the water at the paddling beach at Southwater Country Park".

It added it had not received any official notifications from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) or groups that used the lake regularly.

However, the local authority said the paddling beach would be closed while it monitored the situation.

"We will release further information if the situation changes," it continued.

It comes amid a period of hot weather, which has seen people flock to rivers, lakes and the sea across the country.

Horsham District councillor Alexander Jeffery wrote on Facebook that the exact cause of the illnesses was not yet known.

"I understand this will be concerning for many residents and families," he said.

"I will continue to press for answers".

The Liberal Democrat councilor urged anyone who had become unwell after entering the water at Southwater Country Park to contact him directly.

The Environment Agency says the lake at Southwater Country Park is "not a bathing water so is not regularly tested for bacteria".

"There are more than 450 sites across the country where regular testing is carried out," it added.

The UKHSA says it has been "in touch with Horsham District Council to see if they can help establish what the source of the infection is".

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