The dredging of a duck pond has been hailed as a success as clean water and a thriving ecosystem have returned.  

Andrew Hind, a freelance environmental scientist, led a project to remove mud and debris from the pond at Neatherd Moor in Dereham last August - calling it the “ideal time" to do so.

At the time concerns were raised over the quality of the work and the impact it could have on wildlife.

But just under a year later, Mr Hind said he had been vindicated as the pond is now thriving.

Dereham Times: The duck pond at Neatherd Moor, Dereham, was dredged last yearThe duck pond at Neatherd Moor, Dereham, was dredged last year (Image: Chris Pearson)

“It was the right choice, and I stand by it, I think the decision has been fantastic for us,” he said.

“We have lovely clear water, which I’ve always known as murky, a lot of aquatic plants never seen before have bloomed from the seed bank which had been dormant for decades which will maintain these clear waters, frog and toad tadpoles are doing well, amphibians such as newts have come along, and stoneworts.

“But, even I’m surprised by how well it turned out.”  

Dereham Times: The improved Neatherd Moor pond at Dereham, with the greater yellow cress plantsThe improved Neatherd Moor pond at Dereham, with the greater yellow cress plants (Image: Denise Bradley)

Mr Hind was brought in by Dereham Town Council after the pond's habitat had already declined thanks to extremely dry weather.

Mr Hind lives nearby and is also one of the directors at Norfolk Ponds Project.

He vowed to keep an eye on the pond but has added that it should not need too much doing to it for quite a long time.

He said there were potential problems such as people overfeeding ducks and hot, dry summers having a negative effect on the pond.

Dereham Times: A frog tadpole in the improved Neatherd Moor pond at Dereham A frog tadpole in the improved Neatherd Moor pond at Dereham (Image: Denise Bradley)

However, with dredging - removing mud from the bottom of the lake once empty - more space has been made for water, which he said should prolong before it dries out again.

Dereham Times: The improved Neatherd Moor pond at Dereham, showing the clear waterThe improved Neatherd Moor pond at Dereham, showing the clear water (Image: Denise Bradley)

Dereham Times: Andrew Hind, Norfolk Ponds Project director, takes a close look at the plant and wildlife in the improved Neatherd Moor pond at DerehamAndrew Hind, Norfolk Ponds Project director, takes a close look at the plant and wildlife in the improved Neatherd Moor pond at Dereham (Image: Denise Bradley)