TWENTY ducks have been killed after a lake became poisoned.

The Mallard ducks at Manor House Gardens Lake in Lee died from a rare illness called Botulism - thought to be caused by a bacteria growing around the water's edge.

Grounds management company, Glendale, which looks after the site, says Botulism is caused when people feed bread to the ducks which then sinks to the bottom and rots in warm weather.

Glendale is encouraging visitors to feed the ducks air-filled feeding pellets which float to the surface rather than sinking to the bottom.

A spokesman said: "This is a worldwide problem and is not just specific to Manor House Gardens.

"We were unlucky in that the pump to the fountain in the lake stopped working during the warm weather. Fountains help oxygenate the water which keeps algae away.

"The ducks like to dive down two to three feet into the water and feed off the weeds at the bottom around the edges of the lake, and this is where this dangerous bacteria grows."

He added: "We are looking into selling the pellets on site and would encourage people to feed the ducks these instead of bread."

Becky Williams, aged 80, has lived near Lee all of her life and often walks her dog around the lake.

She said: "Usually the lake is packed full of wildlife with quacking ducks swimming and flying around. But it's been so quiet recently. It's so sad.

"When I walk around the lake it is just completely empty."

The deaths come just weeks after 34 ducks died of the same illness at the Tarn, near Court Road in Eltham.

An animal ambulance was called which managed to save 16 other ducks, as well as geese and swans, by putting them on drips.