Pond Check, a Cornwall Wildlife Trust initiative, joined forces with Friends of Enfield Park Conservation Group in Camelford, in September, to help clear-out invasive water weeds choking up the park's pond.

Nicola Morris, a recent zoology graduate from Newquay College and resident of Camelford, first contacted Pond Check after hearing about the project at college.

Pond Check is a free service aiming to raise awareness of the threat of non-native plants that are invading ponds and waters. The scheme aims to help the public identify the worst pond invaders, which pose a threat to the environment and biodiversity.

Nicola contacted Cornwall Wildlife Trust when she became aware that the community pond had become over grown. Having taken an active interest in the park and initiated a conservation group, Nicola was keen to seek help from the trust to find out if the pond plants were cause for concern.

Lisa Rennocks, co-ordinator of Pond Check for Cornwall Wildlife Trust said: "After Nicola contacted me, I arranged to visit the park and identified three species of non-native invasive pond weeds, all of which can cause serious problems especially if they escape into the wider countryside.

"Some non-native plant species found in freshwaters tend to be more vigorous than native species. They can form dense mats that choke up water bodies, disrupt water flow and impede drainage systems, increasing the risk of flooding. Heavy infestations can cause shading and reduced oxygen levels, which in turn can lead to the death of aquatic plants and animals."

Lisa continued: "We waited until the autumn to remove the weeds to minimise the impact on the resident wildlife. With the help of local community members we spent a day removing a significant amount of vegetation, all of which was disposed of on the compost heap which will benefit the park once composted down."

Nicola added: "Enfield Park is a fabulous resource for both the community and wildlife alike. This is reflected in the enthusiasm of the community members who are keen to continue to volunteer their help. They are now equipped with the skills to identify which plants are the troublesome invaders when carrying out future maintenance thanks to Pond Check."

If you would like Pond Check to identify nuisance pond plants, or to help clear a community pond, please contact Lisa Rennocks on 01872 240777 ext 242 or email [email protected]">[email protected]

Friends of Enfield Park Conservation Group are working closely with the town council to optimise the management of the park to encourage wildlife. If you would like to join them please contact Nicola Morris on 07595 996955 or alternatively email her at [email protected]">[email protected].