British rivers and lakes are being choked with algae thanks to the record-breaking heatwave that has scorched the UK.

Visitors to Windermere have been urged not to swim after sightings of large blooms of potentially dangerous blue-green algae in England’s largest lake.

“Some of our best loved and most iconic wildlife face a perilous future. We must act now to ensure that generations to come can marvel in the joys that our freshwater habitats can provide, from the magical sight of otters playing in our streams, the vibrant blue flash of kingfishers in flight, and the epic migration of the Atlantic salmon,” said a joint appeal by all of Britain’s major conservation organisations published last September.

A zoologist who is campaigning to prevent sewage being dumped in Lake Windemere has warned of an impeding environmental disaster after claiming his beloved dog fell seriously ill while swimming in England's largest lake.

A sewage dump was responsible for the deaths of hundreds of salmon, trout and pike in a stream leading to Windermere, a study suggests.

England’s largest lake is at risk of “ecological destruction” due to pollution from sewage works, agriculture and nearly 2,000 private septic tanks, a conservationist has said.

England's largest lake is on the verge of "catastrophe" unless urgent action is taken to improve its water quality, a conservationist has warned.

Matt was filmed for Countryfile as part of a wider piece on water companies not reporting sewage spills nationally, with the focus being on our largest lake.

Last year Mr. Staniek launched a campaign to improve water quality in the Lake District by submitting a petition to George Eustace, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. 

"I grew up near Lake Windermere and I was shocked to hear about the levels of pollution in our lake. So for the last ten months I have been campaigning to improve water quality in the Lake District."

For as long as Matt Staniek can remember he has been enjoying the wildlife around Windermere. Growing up in the Lakes and spending his teens at Lakes School in Troutbeck Bridge, gave him access to England’s largest lake and its catchment.

Interview with Matt on BBC North West in 2022, discussing the impact of sewage pollution on Windermere.

Windermere in Cumbria is England's biggest lake and attracts thousands of tourists every year. 

But in recent months, people have been advised not to swim in it or allow their dogs to go in the water in it as it has seen a huge increase in pollution levels.