THE owners of the historic Cains Brewery are appealing for information on a mysterious lake that supposedly runs under the plant in Stanhope Street. Ajmail Dusanj, joint managing director of Cains in Toxteth, Liverpool, said he has heard many stories about the "secret" lake from long-standing employees but he is eager to find out more. Cains tour guide Tony Molyneux died two weeks ago and Mr Dusanj said he was his main source of information about the mysterious lake. He explained: "We know the lake is there because we have been told by very solid sources but that's about as much as we know. "People need to understand that the brewery site is vast and the cellars are incredibly deep and we are so busy we haven't got time to look for it. "Mr Molyneux, who had knowledge about the lake, sadly passed away recently so we are appealing for anyone with information or stories about the lake to tell them. "Many former employees who worked here when it was owned by Higsons may know about it and, since we bought the business, we have been trying to piece together as much of its history as possible." Many of the stories about the lake tell of a large, deep mass of water at a great depth beneath the Liverpool plant where workmen used a boat to travel beneath the cellars. Other tales tell how it couldn't be used for drinking water because it is badly contaminated by nearby cemeteries. Liverpool City Council's community historian, Steve Binns, said he isn't aware of a specific lake under the Cains Brewery but added that there is a lot of deep water under the city centre. He said: "In medieval times, the outside of the town was wet and flooded and there was lots of water underground to the south of the city around the Toxteth area. "By the 19th century, people were asking why we needed to get our water from Wales when there was a massive lake under the city and all we had to do was tap into it. "However when they did this they never found it. It was the great debate of the century - where could this lake be found. People used to come to blows at council meetings over the subject of water. "Although there is undoubtedly a lot of water deep underground the city, the lake never was found. "There is every possibility a large passage of water exists under the Cains brewery but as far as I know it has never been documented." After arriving in Liverpool in 1844 at the age of 18, Robert Cain soon gained a reputation for his brewing skills, and by 1858, he bought what is today the face of Cains, the site in Stanhope Street. Two of Liverpool's most famous pubs, The Philharmonic and The Vines, were built by Robert Cain shortly before his death in 1907. Anyone with any knowledge or stories about the Cains "lake" should call Louise Davies on 0151 472 2449 or email her at the address below. louisedavies@dailypost.co.uk | 
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