THE Bishop's Waltham North Pond Conservation Group (BWNPCG) received some expert help last week.

On Tuesday (September 11), residents joined forces with experts Amey LG, who manage public services, to continue work on the restoration of the pond and surrounding landscape.

Amey LG's volunteers undertook crown lifting of trees, laid a wheelchair access path and treated Japanese Knotweed. Project coordinator Dr Barry Jerome said Amey LG had completed £5000 worth of work and that the community was grateful.

He said: “We would have otherwise had to raise funds for this as it requires experts to carry out the work.”

The conservation group was formed two years ago after residents identified it as their greatest environmental concern in Bishop's Waltham. There are now 70 volunteers in the group and Saturday morning work parties have become a regular sight in the area. In June 2012 the BWNPCG received an Action for Market Towns commendation for the restoration work completed to date.