WORK is well underway to restore a popular village pond to its former glory.

According to Rodney Holroyd, a member of East Bierley Preservation Society, it is one of the rare occasions that the village pond in Bierley Marsh has completely dried up.

Scorching weather and very little rain over the past few months prompted weeds to flourish in and around the area. Even the ducks that had set up home there were forced to find alternative accommodation!

"It was bad in 1976 but it didn't completely dry up. This time it has completely gone," says Rodney.

Contractors moved on to the site to clear the silt which had built up on the bottom of the pond. Once the surface is prepared and the planting of more than 350 shrubs and plants completed, which they are hoping to do over the next month or so with the help of the local community, the pond will re-fill naturally with rainwater.

Kirklees Council are funding the pond restoration but the community is doing its bit too with support from Edward Crosby Ltd, CUBE design, Essential Healthcare Solutions and Beardsworth Nurseries.

A Pondfest, featuring live entertainment, is also taking place at East Bierley Cricket Club tomorrow (Saturday September 29) to help boost funds towards to the project.

Karl Battersby Strategic Director, Economy and Infrastructure said: “Following a hot dry summer which resulted in the pond drying out we are working with the local village association to improve the pond. We will be improving its profile so that it will hold more water and have a greater chance of not drying out in future, we will also be adding new plants.”