A RESERVOIR has been partially emptied to allow for £200,000 worth of repairs due to damage caused by vandals.

People in the area reported seeing low water levels at the Rishton Reservoir in recent days.

The Canal and River Trust, which looks after 72 reservoirs across England and Wales including the Rishton site, confirmed it had artificially reduced the water levels.

Staff said this is so divers can complete 'essential repair works' on to the 19th century reservoir caused by vandals.

This comes after stones had been 'ripped out' of the reservoir.

Chantelle Seaborn, north west waterway manager at the Canal and River Trust, said: "Sadly our charity has had to carry out £200,000 of repairs due to damage caused by vandals.

"Divers are removing large stones which have been ripped out of the reservoir embankment and thrown into the water, jamming the paddle and causing problems to the day-to-day functioning of this vital asset.

"I would urge any members of the public who see any acts of vandalism on their local canal, river or reservoir to report them to us and to the police.

"A slow re-fill will restore water levels in time for next year’s boating season."

The works are being undertaken in consultation with local sailing club and anglers who use the reservoir most frequently.

The site is one of the smaller reservoirs used to supply water to the Leeds & Liverpool Canal.

The reservoir has been drained to 'about 30 per cent' of its previous capacity according to the Canal & River Trust, who also look after 2,000 miles of canals and rivers in England and Wales.

Hyndburn Council leader Cllr Miles Parkinson said it was encouraging to see money being invested into a vital resource for the area.

Cllr Parkinson said: "The Leeds and Liverpool Canal is an amazing structure for our area.

"The Rishton Reservoir plays an important part in supplying water to the canal and is a notable feature in our area.

"It's an important structure in the borough and it's good news money is being pumped into it.

"Hopefully we will see more investment in the reservoir in the years to come.

However the Altham ward representative also warned of dangers of vandalism to the area.

He said: "Any vandalism is something that we are opposed to.

"It costs a lot of money to organisations to pay for repairs, which ultimately effects the public.

"Things like this do a lot of damage.

"In this case there is also the danger of open water for those responsible."

Earlier this summer Hyndburn Council issued a warning urging young people to 'stay safe and responsible' around reservoirs this summer.