Park users have spoken of their outrage after around 100 fish were found dead in a public pond.

Distressed residents reported seeing dozens of dead carp and bream floating on the surface of the water, as well as piled up beside the pond in South Park.

The Environment Agency has blamed a lack of oxygen caused by the hot weather for the deaths at the pond, which is maintained by Cheshire East Council.

The council said the hot spell had triggered the growth of pond algae, extracting oxygen from the  water and killing the fish.

The council says it has now pumped more oxygen into the water.

Amanda Barnett, of Lilford Square, was walking in South Park, off Park Vale Road, with daughter Laura when she saw the dead fish.

She said: “Dead fish were everywhere.

“My daughter walks her dog regularly in the park and she  mentioned the fish were dying over a week ago. I thought something would have been done by now.”

Lee Fairweather, a keen angler, of Roe Street, told the Express he first spotted fish suffocating in the water last Wednesday.

Lee, who said he reported the deaths to the Environment Agency and Cheshire East Council, said: “The pond smelt like death. There was a group of about 17 carp all around where the stream enters the pond. I knew that meant they were trying to get to oxygen.

“It was devastating to see, there was fish everywhere, all bloated and stinking.”

Ellie Collins, of Bond Street, Macclesfield, also reported the issue to the  council after her daughter saw the dying fish.

She said: “My daughter said that what was worse than seeing the fish dead was them in the water trying to breathe. She is very upset. There were pictures all over Facebook as well showing the poor creatures dying.

“I rang the council and warned them. They said that there was nothing that could be done as they didn’t have the money to help.

“The pond is filthy – there’s even a shopping trolley lying in it.”

Sue Whyatt, 57, a retired police officer, of Clifford Road, Macclesfield, described being hit by a bad smell on a visit to the pond with her grandaughter.

The grandmother-of-four, who walks her dog in South Park, said: “We could smell it straight away and as we got closer we could see all the dead fish lying on the surface. There must have been at least a hundred and there was a pile of them on the side as well.

“There is so much silt in there and that has made it so shallow.

“The surface water left is so warm and the weeds have taken all the oxygen, so there is none for the fish. My grandaughter was quite upset – a lot of people are. It is very sad.”

A spokesperson for Cheshire East Council said there were no plans to replace fish in the pond at the moment. She added: “Cheshire East Council is working closely with the Environment Agency to ensure that the risk presented to local fish is minimised.

“The problem at South Park arose during the long and unprecedented hot spell, which triggered the growth of pond algae and meant that oxygen was extracted from the water, thereby killing the fish.

“Cheshire East Council officers have been pumping oxygen back into the pond and levels have now reached 90 per cent.

“The recent rain fall has also helped reduce the temperature of the water to improve survival rates of fish.

“Cheshire East Council will now be ensuring that  all dead fish are removed.

“The council is currently looking at a number of options in response to this problem.”

An Environment Agency spokesman said: “Our fisheries officers attended the incident and advised Cheshire East Council following an incident last Thursday where around 100 fish were found dead at South Park pool in Macclesfield.

“The cause identified was a lack of oxygen linked to the warm weather and the growth of oxygen-depriving algae.

“Our advice for all those responsible for keeping fish in warm weather is to keep a close eye on them, paying close attention early in the morning when dissolved oxygen levels are at their lowest and look out for any signs of fish in distress.

“Owners should also check that they have access to water pumps, aeration equipment and generators which can be used to improve oxygen levels during periods of hot weather.

“If you see signs of fish in distress, you can report it to our incident hotline on 0800 80 70 60.”