Residents who have complained about a foul stench coming from a boating lake have been told nothing can be done.

Each summer, the lake at Brooklands Pleasure Ground in Lancing, near Worthing, fills with decomposing algae which causes a sewage-like pong.

Renate Posselt, a 44-year-old accountant who lives in nearby Cedar Close, said: "The water stinks like hell and makes me feel physically sick. It's a disgrace.

"Since March, the water has been murky and green and last year several birds died. Whoever I call says it's nothing to do with them.

"The Environment Agency said there was nothing it could do. When I asked them the last time it was cleaned they couldn't remember.

"The water board said it would look into it but I haven't heard anything back.

"I go for a walk around the lake every day to feed the swans and ducks. Last summer lots of them died."

Her partner Dave said: "To say it smells bad is an understatement.

"It's dark with filth and the smell is atrocious. It smells of raw sewage and it's absolutely disgusting."

But Southern Water, which has a sewage plant near the lake, said there was no sewage in the water and it was nothing to do with them.

A spokeswoman said: "The water quality at Brooklands Lake is in no way connected to Southern Water treatment work or its systems.

"Suggestions have been made to Southern Water staff the lake has algae but I couldn't confirm that as it is not under our jurisdiction."

The Environment Agency said after Ms Posselt called, staff ran tests on the water but found nothing wrong.

Jo Hunt, a Press officer for the agency, said: "An officer went down to the lake and took samples. We found no evidence of sewage in the water.

"The smell comes from algae and pond weed rotting down in stagnant water.

"However, it is a natural process. Algae blooms happen every summer and there's nothing that can be done."

Brian Curtis, principal engineer at Worthing Borough Council, said: "The lake is vital. It's a balancing storage lake and drains off excess water in the area to the sea.

"Without it, many parts of Worthing would be flooded when there's high water fall. We created the drainage area on used wetland and over time it developed into a lake.

"We encourage its use as a leisure facility because it is a pleasant place for people to walk. However, we do not encourage its use as a wildlife pond.

"People who feed swans leftover sandwiches think they are doing them good but can end up killing them as the birds' digestive systems can't take it. Frankly people can be a bit of a nightmare.

"The lake does develop algae blooms, usually around August, which decomposes and can kill wildlife.

"It happens and it's going to continue to happen. There's nothing we can do. It's part of nature."