Concerns have been expressed about the state of a Weymouth beauty spot.

A resident says she was ‘horrified’ after seeing litter and a dead bird floating on the algae-hit lake at Weymouth Swannery.

Esther Sheppard, 27, from Weymouth, was walking alongside the Swannery at Radipole Lake with her boyfriend, when she saw rubbish floating on top of the algae above the water’s surface.

This included a bin bag, several cans/bottles and a dead bird.

Algae blooms have appeared due to the recent hot weather.

Ms Sheppard explained: “It was a nice evening, so my boyfriend and I went for a walk to feed the ducks. We walked down and were looking over the side into the lake.

“We were horrified by what was floating on top of the algae.

“I have not seen it like that since I have lived here. You think children go there to feed the ducks and it’s a popular walking area.

“It also didn’t smell very pleasant; when we were walking around it smelled like a stagnant pond, really dirty.

“When I was walking along the nature reserve I saw a number of Weymouth and Portland Borough Council signs, but the place is covered in litter. The whole area looks neglected by the council.”

She was also concerned about the impact on the local wildlife and said: “It’s going to affect them, it’s not a very good breeding ground. Birds aren’t stupid, they will leave. You have glass in there, a football and a massive bin bag."

She added: “I think we have seen a massive decline in the swans and ducks over the last few years. It used to be full of ducks but there isn’t many now. “ Weymouth and Portland Borough Council says it is aware of the litter and the recent algae blooms.

Cllr Ray Nowak, environment and sustainability spokesman at Weymouth and Portland Borough Council said: “Algae blooms occur naturally in hot weather, especially when there is agricultural run-off from fields upstream as in this case. We are in discussions with the Environment Agency to work out the best way forward to reduce the problem, which could involve dredging or clean-ups.”

Discussing the litter, he added: “The borough council carries out regular clean-ups of the lake.”

Ed Chivers, visitor experience manager for the RSPB in Dorset says littering can affect the local wildlife and the RSPB has a team of volunteers which pick up litter on a daily basis to combat the problem.

If you would like to become a volunteer or learn more about the work the RSPB do locally, visit www.rspb.org.uk/reserves-and-events/reserves-a-z/radipole-lake/