TAXPAYERS could be forced to spend more than £300,000 on removing an unsightly layer of sediment from a pond.

The silt has built up over the last 30 years and was recently exposed when council officers removed debris from a water pipe.

Cllr Stephen Hodgson warned that it will cost a fortune to restore the pond in Offerton Lane Local Nature Reserve.

He said: "It has become an absolute mess. The pond looks absolutely awful.

"It did look attractive. There used to be 30 of 40 different ducks on there. We had geese there as well. It was a much more diverse range of waterfowl.

"But courses haven't been maintained. It will cost a substantial amount now to put right."

Cllr Hodgson believes that the bill to restore the pond will exceed £300,000.

He added that the council previously agreed to restore the pond's jetty for £22,500, however this project has been put on hold because of the state of the water.

A Worcester City Council spokesman said the two ponds in the nature reserve hold extra water during storms and downpours.

They added: "Recent work to clear debris from the outflow of one of the balancing ponds has lowered its water level.

"This has increased its flood capacity but has also exposed existing sediment that has built up over the last 30 years.

"Council officers are working with the Environment Agency to find the best way of providing both flood storage and a valuable natural habitat.

"At this stage it is too early to speculate on what the best approach will be, but the issue will be monitored by the council’s environment committee and a decision will be made about removing the silt at a future stage."

The pond acts as a 'holding area' for water from the M5, the nearby industrial estate and local houses.

It is intended to reduce the amount of rainwater which flows into Barbourne Brook during periods of heavy rainfall.