THE Riverlands farm was once a producer of all kinds of crops and fruits but now finds itself being used for a different purpose.

Escape to the lake: a new location wild swimming in Worcestershire opened to the public for the first time last weekend. 

Owners Pippa and Will Orgee decided last year to take the farm in the exciting new direction of rural diversification. But the wild lake idea came to Mrs Orgee last summer.

She said: "A couple of friends had some sad times and I wanted to be able to help with their mental health.

"The swimming community is a kind and welcoming place."

After a brief trial period with winter swimmers several months ago, locals were finally able to try out wild swimming at the lake on Saturday, June 1. Now, they are committed to opening all year round.

Escape to the Lake is at Riverlands Farm, Teme Lane in Leigh and staff have ensured that swimming in the lake is as safe as possible.

Lifeguards trained by the Royal Life-saving Society are on guard at all times during opening hours.

The introductory sessions for those new to lake swimming are led by a top triathlete who is an expert in swimming in cold water lakes. 

The lake is also closely monitored to ensure it is safe for swimming in.

Mrs Orgee said: "The water is tested routinely and has only ever tested as excellent." 

Mrs Orgee sees a future where the farmland has several uses that both improve people's lives, as well as the environment.

The farm is open to use for celebrations and parties as well as charity and local community work.

The couple would also love to see a carbon sequestration system on the farm, using marshland to capture carbon in the atmosphere and turn some of the arable land into low wetlands close to the river Teme.