A VILLAGE pond is being given a £40,000 revamp thanks to a partnership between councillors, traders and children.

The pond in Thornton-le-Dale was silted up and trees were blocking natural light.

The North York Moors National Park Authority, the parish council, Thornton-le-Dale Traders' Forum and the village school have joined forces to improve the area.

Dredging work led to the discovery of two eels, two 6lb trout and a colony of swan mussels.

The pond has been refilled and the resident ducks have returned home.

National park authority volunteers have stabilised the pond edge, using live willow donated by the Environment Agency, and the island in the centre has been cleared and landscaped.

The next stage will involve creating a wheelchair-friendly route around the pond, and landscaping with saplings and shrubs.

Next month, children will create an area with plants rich in nuts and seeds to attract birds.

The work is due to be completed in March and is being funded by £20,000 from Yorventure, which gives grants to environmental projects. The national park authority has also contributed £20,000.

Jay Marrison, from the national park authority, said: "We are very pleased with the progress so far, and the pond is already starting to look much better.

"We hope that the work will encourage a greater diversity of wildlife to flourish in and around the pond and will enable even more people to enjoy and appreciate its tranquil setting."