MAINTENANCE work to a popular lake has been delayed until a clutch of baby birds have hatched.

Work to stabilise the bank of the Teville Stream, where it flows into Brooklands Lake in Lancing, has been halted because of a coot guarding its nest of babies.

Worthing Borough Council says it cannot start work because it will create noise and disruption.

Councillor Clive Roberts, executive member for the environment at Worthing Borough Council, said: “By law, we're not allowed to move or disturb nesting birds, so we simply have to wait for the chicks to hatch. The lower water levels won't pose an issue to any other wildlife around the lake and once the works are fully completed. Hopefully by the end of June we will refill the lake fully.”

From the first week of June a small square of the Brooklands car park will be used to house the materials needed for the bank stabilisation works, which will last for about three weeks. To enable the contractors to work safely, the water level in the lake will be lowered during the works.

Jess Price, conservation officer at Sussex Wildlife Trust, said the council had “done exactly the right thing” by delaying the work.

She added: “Constant disturbance will distract the parents and prevent them from concentrating on their young.

“If you find a nest in use, please just leave it alone and let the birds look after their young.

“All wild birds are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. This makes it illegal to intentionally kill a wild bird or take, damage or destroy their eggs or nest whilst it is in use or being built.

“The UK has a long history of protecting birds, ever since legislation was introduced to counter damaging trades in feathers and egg collecting.

“These were leading to big declines in native species and unfortunately illegal activity still continues today. We need to allow birds to nest and successfully rear young otherwise the population will start to decline.”

The café and toilets located in the Brooklands car park will be unaffected by the work.