FOUR fishing platforms have been replaced beside a town lake thanks to a £4,200 grant.

The original wooden platforms installed at Newent Park Lake in 2002 had started rotting, but the new ones made from recycled plastic should last much longer.

The lake has a long history of fishing, dating back to medieval times when they were used as a fish pond by monks.

The town’s annual meeting heard that Newent Council had successfully applied to the Angling Trust for a grant from its Fishery Improvement Fund. The money will also cover the cost of netting the lake’s fish for health checking, and the council is also hopeful of securing a new grant to replace its aerators. 

Town mayor Cllr

Edward Wood said: “Newent Lake is very much one of the jewels in the town’s crown. It is owned and maintained by the town council for the benefit of residents and visitors who can enjoy leisurely strolls, picnics and occasional band concerts, exercise on an outdoor gym or just sit on the benches and contemplate the ducks, coots, and heron.”

Meanwhile, three silver birch trees have been donated for planting at the lake in remembrance of popular Newent teenager Shaun Payne, who died after a motorbike accident last October on the B4215 road.

Members of the Chill Out Zone youth café and resource centre were asked to plant the trees which were given free to the council.