THE creation of a large hole in the carefully-tended grounds of Oxford’s University Parks has been causing some raised eyebrows.

But the mystery was solved on Monday when four giant water tanks were lowered into the ground to help parks staff combat drought conditions.

The tanks will fill up with up to 150,000 litres of rainwater from the rooftops of the nearby university science area. The water will be used on the nearby cricket ground and to irrigate other sports pitches during dry summers.

The decision was taken to sink tanks into the ground when parks staff found themselves being told off by park users for using sprinklers during a dry summer, two years ago.

University Parks superintendent Walter Sawyer said: “People thought we were using the water for cosmetic reasons and said it was a waste of water during a long dry spell. But we have to irrigate the pitches in order to maintain their quality. People are more environmentally aware than they used to be.

“The tanks will not take any ground water away. The water will come from the roofs of the science area buildings.”

Digging started in the middle of April, just south of the cricket pavilion.