Litter build-up cleared from nature reserve lake

Radipole Lake, a site of special scientific interest (SSSI), is home to a wide range of wildlife including otters and owls

A build-up of litter, including discarded bottles, cans and clothing, has been removed from a lake at a nature reserve.

The rubbish, floating in Radipole Lake Nature Reserve in Weymouth was cleared by Dorset Council rangers and volunteers from Weymouth & Portland Marine Litter Project CIC.

A designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), the 83 hectare (205 acre) reserve is home to a range of wildlife including swans, kingfishers, otters and water voles.

The council said it was working with several organisations "to try and make sure litter here is not such an issue... but sadly it does seem to build-up very quickly."

The clear-up recovered bags of bottles, cans and clothing from the water at the RSPB reserve

Other items pulled from the water included a road sign, a highways barrier and a baby's dummy.

"Stuff that definitely shouldn't be in such a beautiful lake," the council said.

Liberal Democrat councillor Matt Bell has been campaigning for improvements at the lake over the last couple of years.

The town councillor for the Lodmoor ward has created a petition calling for the silt at the lake to be dredged and a number of longer-term works to be put in place to prevent a nearby park and car park from repeat flooding.

Mr Bell said any upkeep work, including dredging , had to be agreed between Dorset Council, the Environment Agency, Natural England and the RSPB, which is a tenant at the site.

He added: "There is a desire to see this treasured part of our town rejuvenated amongst the community and key stakeholders.

"I will continue to push for improvements."

Dorset Council said cans and bottles, clothing, a highways barrier and a baby's dummy were found - stuff that definitely shouldn't be in such a beautiful lake

The issues at Radipole Lake are set to be discussed at a Weymouth Town Council meeting on 25 June.

A further clean-up at the reserve has been planned for 25 May.