VOLUNTEERS battled brambles to reverse the fortunes of an overgrown lake.

More than half a dozen volunteers joined councillors at the Liden Lagoon to cut back overgrown brambles and grasses.

The east Swindon lake had in the past been looked after by the fishing club, which also helped keep the lake free from weeds.

Councillor Kevin Parry, who organised the volunteering effort this month, said he was personally very happy to see the lagoon returned to some of its former glory.

He told the Swindon Advertiser: “I grew up round that lake. I had some lovely childhood memories. For me, to see it become overgrown, it was quite upsetting.”

Coun Parry said volunteers had used shears to cut back brambles: “The idea of the day was to reopen all of the paths and make it an area where people could walk again.

“We spent a good chunk of Saturday cutting back the brambles and opening up all the fishing platforms. What we’ve done is make the lagoon accessible for everyone to enjoy. So it’s nice and open again.

“If you went round now you’d see it was massively improved. Children and people of all ages can go and wander round. It’s a beautiful place to go.”

The volunteer day was the second organised around Liden. Earlier this year, members of the community turned up despite the drizzle to cut back overgrown bushes and branches near the Liden village centre.

Coun Parry said of the latest session, at the height of a heatwave: “It was very hot. Last time we had rain, so we’ve gone from one extreme to the other.”