FAMILIES wandering through Thompson Park in Burnley could be mistaken for thinking there had been a drought in the town.

The Edwardian park’s three-acre boating lake is currently bone dry — but visitors should have nothing to worry about.

Burnley Council said the reason for the lake’s desert-like surface is to allow repair work to be carried out ahead of what is expected to be a busy summer season.

The lake, which is fed by the River Brun and attracted 4,500 in its opening weekend, is expected to back at full capacity in April.

A council spokesman said: “The boating lake is being drained for its annual inspection, which is coming up soon, just before it re-opens for the spring and summer season.

“There are also repairs being made to the barge boards around the boating lake, especially near the bridge and the boathouse.

“We are also replacing the car tyres around the edge of the lake that prevent the boats from being damaged.”

The park, off Ormerod Road, opened in 1930, paid for by a bequest from John Witham Thompson, and its construction provided work for unemployed people in the area at the time.

Last year, it retained its Green Flag status.