Melton and Oakham Waterways Society volunteers clean up after Storm Doris

On one of their regular work parties a fortnight ago they discovered a blown down tree that was completely blocking the waterway. The tree had fallen in the Sysonby area and was causing a build-up of debris brought down by recent heavy rain. This was acting as a dam and, had it been left, could have resulted in higher water levels and local flooding.

The group set-to using Badger, one of their workboats, to get close enough to start cutting the monster into pieces to forge a way past and release the build-up of pressure.

A spokesman for the Melton and Oakham Waterways Society said that unfortunately sunken trees are likened to icebergs in that the majority of the structure is under the water and that the volunteers would have to return soon with their heavy-duty winch to raise the tree to enable further removal to take place.