A sofa, old television sets and shopping trolleys – just some of the rubbish dragged out of a fishing pool in the Black Country that has become a dumping ground for fly-tippers.

A huge clean-up operation has been mounted at the spot in Heathfield Lane West, Darlaston, to return it back to its natural glory and make it a wildlife haven once again.

Fishing enthusiasts have formed their own group, Heathfield Lane Fishing Club, to take over management of the 8ft deep pool from Walsall Council.

The club has gained 36 members in the last few weeks since forming, ranging from a nine-year-old girl to an 83-year-old.

The pool itself is a flooded former clay pit.

Club vice chairman Glyn Smith, aged 27, who lives a few doors away from the site in Heathfield Lane, said: “I have been fishing there since I was a boy and my dad and elder brothers used to take me over there to learn to fish.

“I was there all the time, but it is nothing like it used to be, it has become overgrown and full of rubbish and I think that is down to negligence.

“It is important to me and a lot of other people and we want to see it back to its former glory, but there is still a lot of work to do yet.”

Club secretary City of Wolverhampton University student Kerry Wilkinson, added: “It has been fished for years but it has got in such a state in the last few years, it was in danger of being ruined completely

. “It has been hard work and some of the lads have been working flat out clearing the pool and the area around it.

“The whole place is an oasis which many people don’t know is there.”

Nigel Ilsley, from Walsall Council’s Green Spaces team said: “We have agreed for the local fishing group to take responsibility of the pond and they have been busy all week clearing pathways and removing rubbish.

“The pond is home to wildlife including some that are uncommon or rare for the region.”

Fishing is due to start again at the pool later this week with sessions for youngsters from the area to learn the sport planned as well.