A CRATER found in the lake at Croome Park, near Worcester, could have been caused by a Second World War bomb.

It has come to light during the dredging of the lake as part of a National Trust scheme to restore the water quality to what it was like in the 18th Century.

"We think a bomber returning from Coventry or somewhere else in the Midlands probably dropped its load here during the war," said property manager Jamie Whitehouse.

Until now the crater has lain undisturbed and unsuspected at the bottom of a lake choked with decades of silt, reeds and vegetation.

"It hasn't been dredged for over 200 years. The last time was in 1776," said Mr Whitehouse.

In the days when the park was landscaped by Lancelot "Capability" Brown, the water in the lake and river was mirror-clear, but over the years it has been polluted with nutrient run-off from agriculture, together with oil, diesel and salt from the nearby M5.

"It is hoped to finish dredging the lake this week and we have dredged part of the river, which is now open water. You can see the before and after effect," said Mr Whitehouse.

A series of wetlands are being created to filter and treat the water before it enters the Croome lake and river and the silt from the dredging is being spread on the surrounding fields, which are being returned to pasture.

Two hundred acres of arable land were reverted to pasture last autumn and by next year sheep and cows will be grazing there. Another 140 acres will be returned to pasture this autumn.

Visitors can watch the progress of the restoration work, as the park is open every day except Tuesdays and Wednesdays until December 21.