Clr Wilson Hamman believes the overflow, which leaves the popular Crosstown shortcut under several inches of water every time it rains, has nothing to do with the Moor Pool.

A study carried out by Macclesfield Borough Council concluded that the problem was caused by dead reeds blocking the pool's course into Tatton Mere.

But Clr Hamman pins the blame firmly on a wooden board which controls the level of the Moor's big sister in Tatton Park.

"They're directly linked," he said. "Tatton Mere decides the level - no doubt about it. Knutsford people have known for years.

"The main problem is that it's not allowed to run out."

Staff at Tatton Park say the sluice gate is opened and closed to keep Tatton Mere level, but insist it has no effect on the Moor Pool.

"What we can't control is the land outside our boundary back towards Knutsford," said estate general manger Brendan Flanagan.

"On the other side of the fence, so to speak, what you find is that it's badly silted up with vegetation, roots and trees."

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.