The struggling animals were removed from the lake at Cherry Orchard Jubilee Country Park in Rochford on Thursday following an ongoing drought that reduced the lake to what has been described as “a puddle". A joint operation by Rochford Council, the Environment Agency (EA) and Park Lake Fisheries saw the fish, along with three eels, removed to a holding lake where they are set to recover in better conditions. (Image: Rochford Council)A Rochford Council spokesperson said: "We'd like to say a big thank you to the Environment Agency, Park Lake Fisheries, our dedicated Open Spaces team, and everyone who helped support this operation. "Cherry Orchard Jubilee Country Park lake has always been managed as a lowland lake for wildlife, and we remain committed to looking after this important natural space. Mr Callaghan previously said the council was working with the EA to divert excess winter water into the lake via an upgraded sluice.