FIREFIGHTERS pumped a jet of water into Hanley Swan Pond in a bid to save wildlife, after two carp died during last week's hot weather.

An engine from Malvern Fire Station was requested by Malvern Hills district councillor Sue Adeney after the Enviroment Agency advised her that the fish probably died from lack of oxygen. The best thing to do was to pump the water to get some air into it.

"The fire brigade had the biggest pump we knew of," she said, adding the water looked quite stunning, like a fountain, as it went across the pond.

She thanked the firefighters involved, who had been called out three times the night before, saying it was very community spirited of them to help.

Saturday's efforts, and this week's cooler weather, should have helped clear the pond water although other issues, such as wildfowl eating vegetation which naturally oxygenates water, are also contributing to the problem.

Hanley Swan Parish Council is meeting with Worcestershire County Council's countryside service next week, which will advise it on what to do next.

According to council chairman Sue Roberts, the pond is not officially owned by anyone but is a village pond.

"Because it belongs to the parish, the parish council is the obvious group to take on any works that need doing," she said.

Until around a year ago, resident Brian Robinson cared for the pond but he has moved away. Mr Robinson used to remove water lily plants when too many appeared, but there have been none this year and the council hopes to ask the countryside service why this is.