AN OIL spill at a lake in Stratton has raised fears for the safety of the wildlife there.

On Tuesday morning, people visiting Claridges Lake, off Swindon Road, were shocked to see thick black oil on the surface of the water.

It could also be seen on the banks of the lake and the surrounding rocks and trees.

It is thought an oil barrel which was found dumped near the lake was the cause of the damage.

Andy Newman was one of the first residents to notice what had happened.

He called the environment agency on Tuesday and was passed on to Swindon Council, which is responsible for the lake.

He said the fish were struggling to breathe and the ducks were covered in oil.

The council was on the scene yesterday attempting to clear up the mess but Mr Newman, 42, of Swindon Road, feared it was too late for the wildlife.

“When I went down there I could not believe what I saw,” he said. “Half the lake was covered in a thick black oil – it was terrible. There were four or five ducks on the lake left sitting in the oil and drinking from the water so I already think it’s too late for them.

“Two members of the swan society have come down to see it and they said they were absolutely disgusted by it.

“The lake is used by a lot of people and we all look after it and feed the ducks and everybody is disgusted.

“The council said it was too late for them to go out and do anything but they still hadn’t been by late on Wednesday and it’s too late for the animals, I think. They should have been out straight away.

“This morning I went along and they have put white plastic bags on the lake but I don’t know what that’s going to do.

“People are constantly chucking rubbish in the lake: there have been fire extinguishers, plastic bags, alcohol bottles, and nothing is ever done. I don’t know where the oil has come from but it was probably dumped in there by someone.”

A spokesman for the Environment Agency said: “We have received three calls relating to the incident but Swindon Council are responsible for looking after the lake so we have told them they need to clean it up.”

A Swindon Council spokesman said: “We initially contacted the Environment Agency for some advice and, after considering it, they decided it was a matter we could deal with ourselves which resulted in a slight delay to the clear-up operation.

“Our contractors have been out to the site and have put down some absorbent matting to soak up any excess oil.

“We suspect someone dropped an oil drum in the water and this was the cause of the pollution.”