THE long-lost Atherton Lake reformed on Monday following torrential downpours.

Journal reader David Sykes was walking his dog near his Westrees home in Leigh when he captured the reformed beauty spot at the top of The Avenue in all its glory.

Keen local historian, David, said the heavy rain had caused the Environment Agency to close the Lions Bridge sluice at Lilford Park for only the second time in 10 years -- and the lake was reborn.

He said: "It was a lovely sight. Unfortunately the agency workmen returned to pull the plug in the evening and it was soon back to terra firma as the waters subsided."

The original artificial lake, which was three quarters of a mile wide, was in the grounds of Atherton Hall in the 19th century and was spanned by the historic bridge which fell down and the lake dried up.

Flood warnings have been posted for areas adjacent to Pen Leach Brook and Lilford Park Brook and include Green Lane, Higher Folds and Lilford Park.

An Environment Agency spokesman said: "We closed the sluice gates and the water fills the Lilford basin and stays there rather than putting pressure on water courses and risk them overflowing.

"It is only the second time this action has been taken in a decade because of the awful weather conditions."