A nine-year-old boy has written to the Queen pleading for help after the draining of a reservoir has sparked fears for wildlife.

Harry Poulloura from Elstree, who struggles with reading and writing, was determined to pen the letter to the monarch to raise his serious concerns about Aldenham Reservoir.

He says a mother swan was forced to abandon her eggs and nest after water levels dropped, which has put the animals at risk of predators.

There are also fears about blue and green algae which has turned the reservoir water "toxic" - prompting Hertsmere Borough Council to issue warning notices.

The reservoir owners, Liberty Lake Leisure Ltd, say the drainage of the reservoir, which it bought in 2015, is necessary to ease pressure on a 225-year-old dam wall.

In his letter Harry said: "Please can you help the swans and protect them from the water being drained. I really wanted to see the baby swans grow up. It's really unfair to see the wildlife being affected."

His mum Alison Metcalf, 42, said she's so proud of her son for trying to help the wildlife.

She said the family visits the reservoir almost every other day and were horrified to see what's been going on.

Borehamwood Times: Concerns - An exposed nest at Aldenham ReservoirConcerns - An exposed nest at Aldenham Reservoir

The mother-of-two said: "It's a beautiful place and we've been watching the water getting less and less and the devastation and it's just awful.

"We have chickens so we know all about protecting eggs and when we saw the drop so much we were worried foxes could kill her or take the eggs.

"When I told Harry the Queen owns the swans he wanted to talk to her and suggested writing the letter. 

"He struggles with his reading and writing so it was a challenge but I've never seen him want to do something so much."

The co-owner of Aldenham Reservoir, Mahesh Gosrani, of Liberty, told the Times last week that people "cannot imagine the pain he and his family feel" when they hear concerns for the wildlife."

Mr Gosrani added: "Our Jain faith has a very simple philosophy, which encompasses, loves and respects all forms of life not just human beings but animals, trees, plants and insects.

"We believe that 'all life is interdependent' and should therefore be respected."

The Gosranis commissioned an inspection of the dam wall in 2019 which concluded there were "concerns" over the movement of it - but "no immediate action was required".