Wildlife threatened as filth poisons lake

Pollution at a Black Country lake is posing a threat to swans and other wildlife living there.

The claim came from campaigners who said one person was even seen draining engine oil straight from their car at Lakeside, Brierley Hill.

Families in Troutbeck Drive, overlooking the lake, are fighting back against anti-social behaviour which left a swan dead. They say storm drains on the road lead directly into the lake. And they want people to be aware of the damage oil and chemicals poured down these drains is doing to wildlife.

Lynn Williams and husband David together with neighbours Ann and David Richards have been helping with the clean up of the Lakeside area.

Lynn, aged 47 and 50-year-old Ann described the distressing incident when a female swan died from the pollution in the lake.

"It was not nice to see and some of the oil that used to get into the lake was terrible for the wildlife," said Mrs Williams, a mother of two.

Ann's son Bobby, 10, said he would do all he could to help. "I really like the lake and come down here everyday and it's important to help the swans as much as possible," he said.

Bishops Wood Swan Rescue, based in Stourport, tried in vain to save the swan. The centre, run by husband and wife team Nick and Sandy Lee, for eight years hopes to provide a swan in the next few weeks.

Mr Lee, aged 57, said: "People need to have more consideration for the animals using the lake, not just swans but fish as well."

Together with residents and the Environment Agency, they are launching a new initiative in the area.

Blue ducks will be painted near storm drains in Troutbeck Drive and neighbouring streets in Amblecote and Brierley Hill which run directly into the lake.

It is hoped the message will get across that by putting oil and other pollutants into drains, they will go straight into the lake.

Environment Agency spokesman Mark Funnell said: "Its so important that people realise the damage that they could be doing to all wildlife in the lake, including the swans."