A pond in East Hampshire has been a given a clean bill of health for the New Year thanks to buoyant bulldozer.

A raft of improvements have been made at Buriton Pond with weeds and 200 cubic metres of silt being scooped out by a floating digger.

The changes have made it a healthier home for native species while the silt was re-used to create an island haven for local wildlife.

Some of the larger carp have also been removed and re-homed as they prey on the smaller fish with East Hampshire District Council assigning £35,000 of government money to the makeover.

“I am used to seeing ducks bobbing about on Buriton Pond but it has been entirely new to see a 1.5 tonne digger moving around on the surface of the water,” said Cllr Robert Mocatta, EHDC Portfolio Holder for Prosperity and Regeneration.

“It is great to see all the silt that has been dredged up and then reconstituted into a small island where birds and aquatic mammals can take refuge.

“I am sure that when the planting on the island is complete in the early spring, the pond will be a beautiful and tranquil spot for visitors and villagers.”

Money from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund which EHDC secured through its Grow Up! campaign. The campaign seeks to use Government money to invigorate the rural economy through providing employment, education, volunteering opportunities and reconnection.

* More good work is taking place in Buriton as proceeds from a January 31 Ceilidh in Ditcham will help projects in their Ghanian sister village of Dominase.

The Polecat Alley Ceilidh band will perform at the Tithe Barn event with tickets priced £13.50 per person. Participants should bring their own food and drink, for more details or tickets email Sarah Osman on [email protected]