The presence of irises at Biddulph Grange Country Park has been clarified after a resident raised concerns that they may be being stolen.

Local resident Allan Jones asked if the flowering plants were being stolen after seeing their remnants scattered around the lakes at the popular local walking and fishing destination.

He said: "Has anyone seen the person stealing irises from Biddulph Grange Country Park lakes? They've been disappearing over the months, lots were gone near the boathouse last night."

However, Paul Hammond, who runs the country park's fishing club, has since clarified that volunteers have been transplanting the irises around the lake to tackle bankside erosion.

He explained that the presence of the plants on the lakes banks can protect them from erosion as well as increase biodiversity.

He said: "Those irises haven't been stolen. They have been put there to address bankside erosion, by our volunteers.

"If you pay close attention, you'll notice that there are areas of bank that are washing away due to wind and water action thanks to a lack of vegetation.

"By transplanting rafts of irises around the lake we sure up the banks to help stop it. We cut them off in rafts and float them up the margins and drop the rafts in behind the revetments so that they can't float off. They then take root and thicken up and spread to help mend the banks.

"It also increases valuable habitat for all kinds of invertebrate life that benefits the biodiversity of the site. It is much more effective than other more costly and unsightly hard engineering solutions."

He added: "They don't start growing until the end of March and all the work has been completed this week. The bits and bobs lying about have likely been damaged by dogs crashing through them."

One resident reacted to the explanation, commenting: "I noticed this also and wondered what was happening. We have been educated, every day is a school day."

Another added: "The work that goes into the Grange pool looks like it just happens but obviously a massive amount of graft goes into it. Thanks."