MOVES to revive a wildlife oasis that has slowly silted-up and become over-run by an invasive bulrush have won the backing of MP James Gray, who is urging lottery chiefs to fund vital restoration.

Corston quarry and pond near Malmesbury is known for its colourful variety of wildlife, including flowers and butterflies, while the surrounding scrub woodland provides nesting habitats for many birds.

Since it was designated a Local Nature Reserve ten years ago it has become a popular beauty spot that is used for outdoor environmental education by local schools, Guides, Brownies and other groups.

Last year Wessex Water splashed out £500 to help pay for a digger to remove sludgy muck created by falling leaves that had silted up much of the water.

However, more work was urgently required to preserve Corston Pond over the next three decades and North Wiltshire MP Mr Gray has written to the Heritage Lottery Fund asking it to provide £5,000 to complete the restoration.

Writing to lottery chiefs he said: “I am delighted to add this letter of support to the many others I know you will have received for the local volunteer group’s application for a very modest £5,000 for a second phase of works to restore Corston Pond.”

The MP was keen to emphasise that the pond had become “an essential local amenity”.

He went on: “The pond is particularly important for environmental education and engaging people, especially children, with the natural world.

“I know that it is used widely and it is brilliantly well managed by a keen group of volunteers.

“I have seen at first hand through my visits to pond how rich it is in wildlife, perhaps most notably some of the more uncommon plants like stonewort and sedges, as well as toads, newts, dragonflies and damselflies.

“I am convinced of the essential works that need to be carried out to remove the built up of silt and Typha latifolia (reedmace), a very rapidly growing invasive plant.”

He understood from the Environment Agency that the second phase of works would “make pond dipping easier, safer and more rewarding.”

Mr Gray also felt that further works would “help to maintain clean open water and sustain a healthy environment for aquatic flora and fauna for at least the next 30 years.”