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.
“Please do not climb the fence or attempt to enter the water at this time”.
It comes amid a period of hot weather, which has seen people flock to rivers, lakes and the sea across the country.
Southwater Watersports Centre said it was postponing all its activities until 6 July “to fall in line” with the council.
“Over the last week, we have had… a massive amount of people at the beach area – all potentially leading to increased impact on the lake, including the lakebed being agitated, human impurities, as well as the heat potentially increasing pathogen production,” it added.
“This may have created an impact on the environment in the short term.”