Plans to turn Ryde Canoe Lake into a community asset are being floated - and a local councillor wants to hear from Islanders who use the lake and its surrounding area.

Ryde Town Council's Karen Lucioni wants to give the lake a community focus, to better protect the birds that live on it.

In recent weeks, she has heard about youths catapulting stones at wildfowl - something that has been reported to Hampshire Constabulary.

More have been spotted, 'drinking and urinating' there, she told the County Press, despite barriers warning Islanders not to walk down to the lake due to bird flu restrictions.

Cllr Lucioni is encouraging people to email her, to build a case for making the lake more of a focus for the residents of Ryde.

Isle of Wight County Press: Swans at Ryde Canoe Lake

Ryde Canoe Lake

Cllr Lucioni said: "We have asked if we can take it on as a community asset.

"We put out the question and we've been told we have to come up with some sort of plan.

"It would be good if people could come to me if they're interested in doing something like that.

"By turning it into a community asset, we would be able to introduce bird feeding regimes, to make sure they're fed properly and watched properly.

Karen said: "I would like to see the banks not cut back as much and it would be nice to hear from people who know about wildlife.

"It has to have some sort of community use as well and it would be nice to get the fountain working again."

Contact Karen via karen.lucioni@rydetowncouncil.gov.uk

The footpath around the canoe lake, which is adjacent to Waterside Pool, is currently cordoned off after a dead mute swan was found to have had avian flu in December.

The lake has long provided leisure opportunities for Islanders, as photos by Victorian and Edwardian photographer William Hogg, part of an online exhibit, show.

Isle of Wight County Press: