A POND in Great Malvern is in the process of being drained as part of improvement works that include fixing a leak.

Workers from Malvern Hills District Council pulled on their waders in order to begin draining the upper pond in Priory Park on Monday in preparation for essential repairs and maintenance.

Fish are being relocated to the swan pool and the draining will take at least three weeks to allow time for wildlife to relocate.

Work is then planned for early October to repair the leak which is preventing the water in the pond rising to a high enough level to feed the waterfall into the lower pond.

Silt – fine sand, clay or other material carried by running water and deposited as a sediment – will be removed with the flow of the waterfall helping to improve water quality once all work is completed.

The banks will also be repaired and reprofiled to benefit wildlife and vegetation replanted.

The work has been given the go ahead following an ecological survey and will be supervised by ecologists throughout.

The draining is part of a series of improvements being made to Malvern’s Priory Park to provide an even better experience for visitors.

Councillor Peter Whatley, portfolio holder for resources at Malvern Hills District Council, said: “It is great to see work has started on essential maintenance to the upper pond in Priory Park.

"It is the first step in the process towards improving the water quality and repairing the leak. The works are all part of our five-year plan commitment to making the most of our environment.”