Carping on: Inn owner Robert sets 40 loose in his lake to improve the "green" environment.

Green weed covering the lake in the beautiful grounds of The Inn at Fossebridge, near Cirencester, has a new enemy - 40 carp that are virtually guaranteed to destroy it.

The carp attack is the latest in a series of "green" solutions to overcome problems as they arise at the fully refurbished 300 years old inn.

A major project to cut harmful emissions from power sources at the four star inn is at an advanced research stage.

Robert Jenkins, owner of The Inn at Fossebridge, said:" It is a beautiful lake, but the surface is covered in weed; to dig out and start again would be £20,000 and anyway there would be no guarantee of success.

"The staple diet of the carp we have purchased is weeds. They are a specific type and after advice we purchased 40 and we believe they are eating away to thier stomach's delight and we should have a much better view of what's in there when their job is done.

"One problem we had is that carp are great escape artists and if they used our sluice to get into the adjacent River Coln, there could have been havoc. So, a special carp net has been installed which has made an impenetrable barrier to them",

Robert added.

Besides ridding the surface of unsightly weed, the activity is expected to improve oxygenation from plant life in the lake.

The Inn at Fossebridge is a four star AA and Quality in Tourism, property, which has excellent dining facilities, eight fully restored bedrooms in Georgian style and facilities for business meetings, together with a refurbished cottage that sleeps 10.

Note: All press inquiries please to Robin Thompson 07966 495908; email robin@pollybox.co.uk. Photographs of the property are also available from Robin Thompson.

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