The duck ponds at Royal Victoria Park in Bath are set to benefit from a £75,000 programme of restorative works.

Bath & North East Somerset Council has appointed a contractor to remove silt from the ponds and improve the quality of the water with works expected to start at the end of October.

The works are needed to preserve the ecology of wildlife and plant species living in and around the ponds and to ensure the ponds can be enjoyed by visitors for generations to come.

The works will begin with an aquatics specialist netting all the remaining fish in the ponds and relocating them safely, ahead of an ecological survey.

The silt will then be removed to another location within the park where it will be fenced and allowed to settle, before being seeded with grass and landscaped into part of the public park. This will reduce the carbon footprint of transporting large volumes of waste elsewhere.

Councillor Tim Ball, cabinet member for Neighbourhood Services, said: “We are pleased that we have been able to appoint a contractor for this project, which has taken a number of years due to the specialist nature of the work needed to preserve the ponds’ ecology. For many years the ponds have been a much-loved part of this beautifully landscaped park and it’s great news that they will be restored to their former glory for visitors of all ages to enjoy.”

Find out more about visiting Royal Victoria Park