Calls to protect wildfowl at Edmonton's Pymmes Park have paid off with the announcement that fresh water is to be permanently pumped into the lake after more than 50 ducks died of suspected botulism.

Enfield Council has been given the go ahead by the Environment Agency to install a bore hole in the water to provide fresh supplies preventing the lake from growing stagnant.

It is hoped work will be underway within a matter of weeks.

More than 100 ducks and geese have been pulled from the poisoned water, either dead or sick, over the past two years. Fifty birds were found during the latest outbreak last month.

In 2003 tests carried out on the water revealed the lake had become polluted with sewage from misconnected household drains and was 4,000 times over the EU bathing directive. Thames Water has since carried out work to correct the problem.

Environmental campaigners Theresa Lefley and Linda Badham believe the bore hole should have been installed in 2003 and have accused the council of ignoring the problem for too long.

With the recent replacement of park rangers with a parks constabulary, the pair have taken to patrolling the lake looking for casualties and relying on overstretched animal rescue services.

Ms Lefley said: "The last few weeks have been horrendous and very stressful, we have been there until 10pm most nights, but the ducks have been virtually wiped out.

"This could have been prevented if only there was ongoing maintenance and the bore hole was installed sooner."

Edmonton MP Andy is supporting the campaigners.

He said: "What has always been an issue, is the council's commitment to Pymmes Park. The ducks were allowed to die again and nobody did anything about it. It seems we are left with a duck pond with no ducks in it."

A council spokesman said: "We are continuing to monitor the lake. The quality of water has gradually improved after the recent rain and levels are back to normal.

"Consent to install a bore hole has been given and ths authority is currently carrying out a geographical survey."