A BEAUTY spot which was once a favourite haunt of walkers and a source of local pride has turned into a "filthy, smelly eyesore", according to Walmersley residents.

They claim the Clarence Park Lido has been "left to rot" with litter strewn across the parkland and dead fish in the water.

Council officers admitted there had been a handful of dead fish in the water, but action was being taken to clean-up the lido and rid it of algae.

Mrs Helen Pollard, who lives on nearby Halstead Street, said: "The park needs to be cleaned up. It is absolutely disgusting. I used to take my dog there. Now there is rubbish everywhere and I saw ten to 15 dead fish in the water."

She added: "I know the council have plans for the area. But something needs to be done now. The park has always been very popular but now no-one wants to go there."

Another angry resident contacted the Bury Times claiming a "foul smell" was coming from the park.

Mr Graham Schoon, the council's countryside officer, told the Bury Times: "Since Friday to Monday we have counted four dead fish. The cause could have been the algae but also the hot weather and fishing. However, we are installing a machine that breaks down the algae.

"We have a small amount of money to further improve the water quality and introduce plants."