CAMPAIGNERS say they are facing a race against time to save a Worsley beauty spot from ruin.

Members of the Old Warke Dam Society say they have just three years before the dam, which creates a pond-like stretch of water, silts up with mud, stones and debris flowing into it from nearby streams.

The man-made earth dam, off Woodstock Drive, Worsley, is believed to date back several hundred years and was originally created as a fishing lodge for the gentry.

When the Bridgewater Canal was opened in 1763 the dam's water was used to top up the level of the canal. But in more recent years, although the surrounding Worsley Woods has been recognised as a nature reserve, the water, which was originally up to three metres deep, has been silting up and in places is now no more than two inches in depth.

"There were loads of people strolling round it this bank holiday weekend and not realising what's going on," said dam campaigner and former Salford City councillor Bob Boyd.

"Even now, at a superficial glance, it looks quite picturesque, but over much of its area it is down to just a couple of inches."

Dreams of restoring the dam to its former glory came to nothing four years ago when a £500,000 Mersey Basin Campaign project to reclaim the dam had its Regional Development Agency funding frozen.

Attempts to gain the cash from the Lottery, Europe and other sources have also failed.

"We keep lobbying councillors and senior officials and they all pledge their undying sympathy but they never have any money," said Mr Boyd.

But society members have vowed to keep trying to save the dam and in the meantime are hoping to secure a £20,000 grant from the Worsley and Boothstown Community Committee to temporarily halt the dam turning into a bog. Money would be spent on stabilising the banks of Kempnough Brook, which are gradually being eroded and washed down into the dam.

A further project would install a grit trap upstream from the dam, which could be cleared at intervals and prevent silt washing into the pond.

And the campaigners also want to clear a channel through scrub and trees at the top of the dam to allow water to flow more easily and prevent flooding.

The society members would like the dam dug out to a depth enough to encourage fish and create a facility for anglers as well as a pleasant beauty spot.

"It could be a magnificent attraction," said Mr Boyd.

Salford City Council's environment services lead member Councillor Maureen Lea said: "I agree with Bob that we face a very frustrating situation at Old Warke Dam.

"This is not a straightforward project and it will require substantial capital investment. Past bids for funding have looked promising, but have then not been successful.

"However, we are continuing to investigate all potential sources of funding, as well as alternative ways of reducing or removing the silt that is causing such a problem."