Appeal to fix Diss fountain

It is one of the Waveney Valley's most photographed scenes.

But the future of an integral part of Diss Mere is in doubt after town leaders were left with a hefty bill to repair its faulty fountain.

The focal point of the picturesque waterbody was installed five years ago by the Diss and District Rotary Club to celebrate the centenary of their movement.

But Diss Town Council, which has taken on the responsibility for the fountain in the mere, has called for local companies, organisations, and individuals to make a donation after being presented with a more than �4,000 bill to replace a broken pump.

The town council, which says that it does not have the funds to pay for a new fountain pump, will be discussing its options at a meeting later this month.

But Deborah Sarson, town clerk, said she would not be recommending to councillors to switch off the fountain permanently at a full council meeting on November 17.

'It has become a feature of the town and when it is running, it is very attractive. I can not pre-empt councillors' decision but my recommendation will not be to turn it off,' she said.

She said that the fountain helped to aerate and oxygenate the water for the benefit of the fish in the mere. The running costs for the centre piece is about �4,500 a year.

Ms Sarson added that any sponsors of the fountain would get free publicity in the town council's quarterly magazine.