WORKERS from the Environment Agency have been busy creating a new "eco island" to be floated in a popular angling lake.

The floating island is aimed at attracting more wildlife and fish to Birchmere Lake, off Epstein Road, Thamesmead.

It has been made from coir fibre mats, which are formed out of coconut husks, and is held together with netting.

Created from 16 smaller units, the island will cover 64sq m of the lake's surface.

The mats will be planted with reeds, sedges and other native water plants, whose roots will eventually dangle into the water to create a canopy.

This will provide shelter for spawning fish and small fish hiding from predators.

The root canopy will also attract pond snails, hog lice, caddisfly and damselfly larvae, which will become a source of food for the fish and other species such as toads, newts, frogs and bats.

Team leader for the project, Matt Robson, says although the lake has a good fish population, there is not much aquatic life.

He said: "There isn't really enough of the greenery fish need for shelter and, as a result, they are easy prey for birds such as cormorants.

"We wanted to address this with a sustainable, long-term solution which didn't just improve things for the fish but also gave the entire eco-system a lift."

The hope is the project will also encourage more anglers to the lake.

The agency is working with Thamesmead Town Angling Club, Gallions Housing and Thames 21 to introduce newcomers to fishing by using qualified coaches to teach them how to fish.