ESSENTIAL repairs are being carried out on a Victorian water tower in Rossendale after irresponsible swimmers damaged the structure.

The tower, at Cloughbottom Reservoir, Water, has been used as a diving platform which has worsened natural wear and tear.

North West Water's local head works controller Harry Winstanley said: "Swimming in reservoirs is extremely dangerous, even in the warmest weather, but some people ignore our warnings. They don't seem to care if they cause damage and risk their lives."

Levels at Cloughbottom, which serves customers in Waterfoot and Bacup, were lowered by 1.5m to permit the erection of scaffold platforms around the structure.

But heavy rain took the reservoir to overflowing while the stonemasons worked just above the water level.

The damage caused by swimmers also caused the metal valve control gear to deteriorate. However the new structure includes a battlements style roof to prevent future internal damage.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.