Flooding: Steve Townsend, left, and Danny Jackson said platforms and paths were flooded at the club off Dagenham Road

Anglers are threatening to sue a water company amid claims a burst water main that flooded their fishing platforms has cost them thousands of pounds in repairs.

Submerged: A picture shows how a platform was flooded at the club

Bardag Angling Association was left furious after platforms and paths at Eastbrookend Country Park in Dagenham were left under up to three feet of water when the fishing lakes flooded.

The 390-member club is preparing to launch a compensation battle against Essex & Suffolk Water, which runs water mains in Barking and Dagenham.

Anglers said they have spent up to £20,000 installing fishing platforms after taking over the reigns of the club in 2006, then splashed more cash building new platforms on top of the soaked ones.

Club manager Danny Jackson, 41, said: “It was like starting from scratch. Not only that but it had an effect on the general public.

“Some of the paths were so under water we couldn’t walk around.

“We’ve spent quite a lot - tens of thousands of pounds.

“At one stage we were three feet under water.

“We have done a lot of work this year to get the club up and running.”

The club, off Dagenham Road, said it had to deal with rising water levels at the lakes from 2006 until a repair was carried out in March 2010.

Fish Legal solicitors have spent nearly £15,000 preparing a case against Essex & Suffolk Water.

Solicitor William Rundle, of Fish Legal, said: “There is a statutory right to compensation where damage is caused by a water mains leak.

“We have had to incur nearly £15,000 in costs over several years to prepare a comprehensive case that we can take to the courts, if necessary.

“We await the company’s response to our second and final invitation to compensate our members’ club before proceedings are issued.”

An Essex and Suffolk Water spokesman: “We received a letter from Fish Legal in 2010 and Essex & Suffolk Water responded by requesting specific details and evidence.

“It has taken until the beginning of July 2012 for Fish Legal to provide any evidence and details of their allegations.

“Essex & Suffolk Water is now investigating the matter and we will be responding to Fish Legal in due course.”