Toplitz ban plan

Over many years, divers have entered the lake in their attempts to find loot - gold, diamonds and stolen art - thought to have been dumped in by retreating Nazis in WW2.

Excavation in pursuit of any loot is banned, but that has not stopped some divers. Several have died after getting caught up in branches and other lake bottom detritus.

Now, even diving for general leisure could be stopped, following a call for a total ban on diving activities.

Forestry and other nature specialists believe that diving presents a threat to ecological balances.

A spokesman for the local authority told press: "The lake is a very sensitive ecological environment, and the many divers are simply destroying our ecosystem, making it impossible for the animals to make their home around the lake."