THE Citizen has stepped in to help clear up a local beauty spot after residents complained it had become a dumping ground.

The pond -- a popular fishing spot in Astley Village -- has been targeted by vandals who have thrown a supermarket trolley, a pram and numerous items of household rubbish into the water.

The little oasis on Buckshaw Hall Road, off Chancery Road, has been home to kingfishers, herons, mallard and a moorhen that has recently settled there. It is also a popular watering hole to gaggles of geese which fly in from time to time.

This week owners North British Housing pledged immediate action to clean up the litter-filled eyesore after residents alerted The Citizen, saying the pond was 'little more than a tip'.

One resident, who asked not to be named, said: "It is a pity because there is a variety of wildlife that visit the pond.

"Two Canadian geese drop in from time to time.

"How they land without breaking their legs is anybody's guess. There is a lot of man-made junk and debris floating on the water. It is the fishes' home and the birds' congregating place, but the vandals who clutter it up are unaware of this."

But thanks to The Citizen, North British Housing immediately sent an officer to inspect.

David Rigby, area manager for NBH, said: "We do carry out regular inspections of the pond at Astley Village and we have had no problems or complaints until this week.

"We work with various environmental agencies to ensure that the pond is clean and safe so it can attract local wildlife. The local housing officer inspected the pond yesterday (Tuesday) and we are arranging for the abandoned supermarket trolley to be removed from it and clean it up.

"If people have any concerns or need to report any problems with the pond, I would ask them to contact the local NBH office on 01772 334569."

And fishermen at the pond yesterday were delighted to hear it is to be cleaned up.

Nigel Moss, from Chorley, who has fished there for 25 years, said: "It's really popular with locals, you can catch a lot of different types of fish even though it's often a bit of a mess.

I'm really pleased The Citizen has got on the case, it's great news."