A Swindon angling club that was beset with tragedy after a mass fish die-off has been donated a water testing kit.

Peatmoor Angling Club had been using Peatmoor Lagoon to fish for decades but last August there was a sudden and fatal drop in oxygen levels.

Thousands of fish were killed as a result which left the club reeling and on the brink of ruin.

A GoFundMe page was set up and the body of water was restocked with fish from the Environment Agency, who also donated aerators after investigating the matter and determining the cause to be a natural rise in temperatures.

Now, as the club continues to rebuild, it has benefitted from another kind donation -this time from local councillor Suresh Gattapur, who gifted them a water testing kit.

Club member Ted Rowe said: "A massive thank you to Suresh Gattapur who kindly donated this water testing kit to the Peatmoor Angling Club.

"The kit allows you to quickly check eight water quality parameters including; Oxygen, temperature, pH, ammonia, nitrite and hardness and is easy to use.

"He also donated £500 a little while ago.

"As you can imagine, with everything that's happened, this means so much to the club and the general public.

"We appreciate any donations on the GoFundMe and also any companies that may want to help in regard to maintaining the lake."

Speaking to the Advertiser earlier this year, Ted said that after the disaster the 'future was looking bright for Peatmoor Angling Club'.

He said: "“In October, a restock of 10 carp weighing 185.5 lbs was issued due to otter predation as we lost them before the recent disaster,” said Ted.

“We agreed with Swindon Borough Council that we could replace them.

“Back in November, we had a delivery of Bream from Priory Fishery 431 fish plus a further 50 fish donated by them free of charge.

“We also had a restocking in December from The Environment Agency with 1,500 Roach, 1,500 Bream, 300 Tench and 500 Rudd.”

This latest restocking will be the first of a three-year stocking programme from 2023 to 2025 with the next instalment expected in March.

The club doesn't just partake in fishing, its members also play an active part in the upkeep of the wild area as all maintenance around the lagoon is done by their volunteers, with the council's permission.

Last year volunteers from the club helped to clear out the lagoon's island, which is home to an ornate pagoda, for example.

They are also looking for wood to build new platforms, stones to improve walkways and even tools and machinery hire.