SCHOOLCHILDREN will soon be given lessons in water safety at a former mill lodge where an eight-year-old boy drowned.

Jaffer Javid's death in Blackshaw Lane Lodge earlier this year shocked the town and led to a BEN campaign calling for action to fill in derelict and unused former industrial ponds.

Now, local anglers are preparing to fence off the death-trap lodge.

And, in an effort to ensure such tragedies never happen again, they hope to organise fishing lessons on the site and classes in water safety to highlight the dangers of playing near lodges and streams.

Jaffer, of Oriel Street, Deane, drowned in Blackshaw Lane Lodge in August. His body was found by police divers in the pond 48 hours after he had been reported missing. The discovery followed a frantic search of the area by members of the town's Muslim community.

His heartbroken family were furious over the lack of warning signs near the 6ft- deep stretch of water.

Bolton Council chiefs have now given a £7,500 grant to the Bolton Bailiffs Angling Club to finance a scheme to ensure Blackshaw Lane Lodge is safe.

High security fencing will be put up around the mill lodge which has already been completely overhauled in a joint project by Bolton Council and anglers.

A JCB has flattened the left side of the banking and more than nine skips of rubbish have been filled with debris, including fridges and baths, from the murky waters.

Water bailiff Peter O'Neil, chairman of the angling club, said: "We are all delighted -- this means that our plans can now be put into action."

The club aims to start fishing schools for youngsters, promoting responsible attitudes to water safety.

The lessons, which will run throughout the school holidays, will also promote conservation.

Mr O'Neil said: "When we were told about the money, we were quite surprised at how much we got. This means we can now buy the fish for the lodge as well and get everything up and running.

"The whole community was really shocked by this little boy's death. Now, something good has come from it."

The cash has been given via Local Community Planning's Housing Department.