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

It will be used to attract more wildlife and fish to Birchmere Lake, off Epstein Road, Thamesmead.

It has been made from coir fibre mats, made from coconut husks, and is held together with netting.

The mats will be planted with reeds, sedges and other native water plants which 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.

Agency team leader for the project, Matt Robson, said although the lake has a good fish population, there was not much aquatic life.

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