THE River Anton in the centre of Andover is in a sorry state, according to borough councillor Rod Bailey who fears for its future.

Not only are ever increasing demands lowering the water table but many people use the stream, a tributary of the world famous River Test, as a dumping ground.

Mr Bailey used the situation at the troll bridge in South Street as an example. Six shopping trolleys have been left in the river for weeks with no attempt on the part of the shops who own them to recover them.

"Here we are trying to get people to visit the town but this type of thing will put people off and simply lowers the tone," said Mr Bailey, whose St Mary's ward covers some of the worst affected stretches of the river.

"In some stretches the state of the river is dreadful.

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