Police officers and two fire crews from Reading were called to the lakes off Old New Road in Sonning eye at around 4.10pm to reports of a body in the water.

The man is thought to have been dead at the point the emergency services were called.

Firefighters from Caversham Road station’s specialist water rescue team retrieved the body from the lake used by sailors and rowers.

The deceased man has been taken to hospital while police continue their inquiries into his identity.

Officers remain at the sailing club as their investigation continues.

The watch manager from Caversham Road fire station confirmed that the water rescue crew had been called at 4.30pm to Reading Sailing Club in Sonning Eye.

A crew from Dee Road fire station also attended the scene.

Gareth Evans, of Dee Road station said: “It was a possible fatality. We were sent away because we were not required as the man had already been rescued.”

A Thames Valley Police spokesman confirmed that officers had been called to an incident involving a person in the water.

They said: “We were called at 4.12pm to Sonning Eye after a body had been seen. We are continuing our inquiry to establish the identity of the man.”