A WALL that is on the verge of collapsing into the River Irwell could have an effect similar to the dramatic destruction of the Waterside Pub, in Summerseat, it has been warned.

Environment Agency officials inspected the area, near Dumers Lane, on Friday and are working with the wall's owners, chemical manufacturers J & W Whewell Ltd, to ensure it is repaired.

Local angler Eric Owen reported the problem last week after noticing damage to the wall, and he says that any collapse would cause a damming effect that would risk flooding further upstream.

Mr Owen, who is chair of the Little Britain Anglers group, said: "They are old walls that have lasted a long time but the floods have caused some significant damage. The situation is still as bad as it was when I first reported it last week, but because it is private land the Environment Agency can't do anything themselves until it has actually collapsed into the river.

"Part of the damage is as a result of the floods and part is because of the invasion of plant species like hogweed and Japanese knotweed along the riverbanks. They way they grow, it's like drilling a load of holes in the riverbank.

"If and when it collapses it is going to cause a damming effect and that could cause flooding upstream, and it won't take much to make it collapse now.

"With the amount of debris that would be in the river, it would be a situation similar to the Waterside pub collapse in Summerseat."

An Environment Agency spokesman said: “We are aware of the damaged wall at Dumers Lane, Radcliffe. This is a privately owned wall and the Environment Agency has contacted the owners. We are currently in discussion with them to ensure the wall is repaired.”

A spokesman for J & W Whewell declined to comment.

Mr Owen is also continuing to campaign against fly-tipping along the river, and has reported that commercial waste is still being dumped at a black spot in Outwood Road.

He added: "There's about 30 tonnes of rubbish that's been thrown down the bank. This has been going on for years and nothing has been done, it's a complete shambles.

"There's sofas, fridges, car parts, and all sorts down there. Outwood Road is one of the worst areas in the borough."