A community has been left reeling after the death of a man at a holiday park in Dorset.

A murder probe is underway after the body of a man, aged in his 70s, was pulled from a lake at Warmwell Holiday Park in Crossways in the early hours of Sunday morning. 

The alarm was raised just before 12.30am, when emergency services rushed to the scene in response to concerns for a man's welfare. 

The man, from Birmingham, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Holidaymakers and locals say they've been left in shock.

One guest at the park, who was out walking her dog with her husband on Warmwell Road, said: “It’s shocking. It made me feel sick. We have stayed here for the past 17 years and never had any kind of experience like this. There are children around here too.”

Warmwell Holiday Park (Image: Alfie Lumb) The husband added: “There were four cabins cordoned off, and police are still at the park today further down towards the lake. They have been here since 12am on Sunday.

"We come here to walk our dogs, and we already booked to come next year as it’s such a lovely holiday park in a quiet place.”

A local resident said: “It’s frightening- it makes you feel like you have to be careful. People come here to go on holiday- not this. I often walk my dog there and it’s such a quiet and residential area- you don’t expect that.”

Another resident added: “It’s most definitely shocking to hear. It’s a sad fact of life, but you don’t expect it in a little country village- it’s been unheard of in the past."

Heron Lake (Image: Supplied) Andrew Brewer, chairman of Crossways parish council, said: “You want people to come to the area and enjoy their stay here. We have trust and confidence in the police to investigate the incident.

“Thousands of people come here to spend their holidays in the area every year and enjoy the lovely sights. Our sympathies are with all who are affected, their friends and families.”

Police were on the scene at the park (Image: Supplied)

As previously reported,  a man and woman, both aged in their 50s and from Birmingham, were arrested on suspicion of murder. The woman was also arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice.

The man who died and the individuals who have been arrested are known to each other.

A spokesperson for Warmwell Holiday Park said: “We are working to support police with their investigations after an isolated incident. As those investigations are ongoing, we can’t comment further.”

A spokesperson for Dorset Police, said: “The two people who were arrested remain in custody, our investigation is ongoing and there is no further update at this time.”