THE fight to save historic Butterley spillway in Marsden has a new champion.

Santa, right, joined growing support for the campaign to save Butterley Spillway from demolition, in a photocall to highlight their fight.

He followed three high-profile national conservation organisations who have also pledged their support for the campaign to save Butterley Spillway.

The Victorian Society, Council for British Archaeology and Association for Industrial Archaeology have all put their weight behind calls to Yorkshire Water to find an alternative to tearing out the unique stone-built Victorian structure and replacing it with reinforced concrete.

The Grade II Listed structure was built by the Victorians between 1891 and 1906 and is a one-of-a-kind example of their craftsmanship and love of engineering design.

Save Butterley Spillway is a group of local residents and politicians that is campaigning to save the landmark.

They are urging Yorkshire Water to find an acceptable alternative solution which preserves the existing spillway.