STEEPLEJACK Fred Dibnah wants the famous orange waters of the Bridgewater Canal cleaned up.

Historical enthusiast Fred Dibnah said draining the canal of its colour would benefit wildlife.

He spoke out after Salford City Council bosses decided to take action, despite protests by people living near to Worsley Delph who have grown accustomed to seeing the canal's tinged waters.

Fred said: "The water is highly poisonous and certainly does not do the fish any good."

The canal gets its distinctive colour from the nearby mine's iron ore.

The Coal Authority are ready to start pumping the iron ore sediment through reed beds to stop it going into the canal. The £2.5 million pound scheme will see the mines sealed in a bid to get wildlife like fish and ducks back on the waters.

The scheme has become a high priority for the North West Development Agency who are expected to complete the project over the next few years.

Salford Council have also secured £250,000 to clean iron ore out of the Delph.

Different methods are being considered including a hi-tech hydro-cyclone machine that separates the silt.

The Worsley Delph, built in 1759, is famous for an underground labyrinth of tunnels that stretches over 50 miles, and go as far as Farnworth.

The waterway was a key factor in the history of the industrial revolution with it halving the price of coal.

A spokesman for Salford City Council said: "The canal has been polluted for years but it varies depending on water flow and wind conditions."

Some people are worried about losing the famous orange tinge which has become a part of the canal's heritage. But Tim Jones, from Salford City Council, said: "I suspect some people will be concerned that the water is losing its famous colour.

"But the health and safety implications outweigh the colouring of the water.

"Nothing lives in the water, no fish survive there, the silt muddies the canal bed and it smells.

"This long-term solution is preferable."