AN invasive weed that was threatening to choke a Castlemorton pond looks to have been successfully repelled.

Malvern Hills Conservators are in the process of removing the barriers that had seen Berrow Down pond fenced off for more than a year while it was treated with weedkiller.

It had been found to contain Crassula helmsii, a virulent plant originating in New Zealand that can spread from pond to pond smothering other plant and animal life.

MHC conservation officer David Whitehorne said he was cautiously optimistic the problem had been solved.

"At the moment it looks as if we've been successful, but we've got to monitor it over the coming years," he said.

Berrow Down is home to three species of newt - great crested, palmate and smooth. During treatment the amphibians were kept out with a newt-proof barrier.

Mr Whitehorne said they seemed eager to get back in as more than 100 were found near the barrier when it was taken down.

However, the treatment has left the pond without any vegetation, so this week conservation workers were making an artificial spawning place made from a bin liner and bamboo pole. Plants should re-populate the pond within months.

Mr Whitehorne warned against using nets in the pond, as harmful weeds easily spread. One node of Crassula helmsii is enough to propagate and suffocate a whole pond.

"I would rather people just looked and enjoyed," he said.