A man who launched a clear-up of a Highcliffe beauty spot is appealing for volunteers to continue his restoration quest.

Paul Hardie, who is chairman of the Friends of Lakewood Restoration, formed the group after wanting to spruce up the lake.

Paul learned to fish at Lakewood off Braemar Drive in Highcliffe when he was a pupil at Highcliffe Comprehensive School.

His teacher, fellow Highcliffe pupil Nigel Day, who lived next to Lakewood, taught many of the local youngsters to fish, with one even becoming a professional match fisherman.

But sadly years after school, Paul found out Nigel died of Cystic Fibrosis in 1990.

Now, after forming the group, Paul has devised a management plan and has backing from the council to reintroduce supervised fishing at the lake once the restoration is complete.

He is appealing for volunteers to help clear the lake’s island of dead trees on Saturday, February 21 from 10am until 1pm.

And on Monday, February 23 at 7pm onwards, the group’s AGM will be held at Highcliffe Sports and Social Club.

Paul said: “I am hoping to raise more awareness of the group and appoint some committee members.

“I also want to show our plans for the coming year.

“We still need to raise funds for cleaning up the actual lake water and people can donate via collection boxes in fishing tackle shops or the Lakewood The restoration page is on Facebook.”