This Devizes Crammer story is NOT an April Fool's joke.

Devizes councillors are forming a community project to work with residents on ideas for how to clean up – and green up – the town’s famous pond.

But they warn that it could cost a fortune.

The councillors are to gather proposals for improving the water quality of the polluted Crammer and how to re-wild the area around it.

A working group of four councillors – Iain Wallis, Chris Greenwood, Richard Scott Oliver and Andy Geddes – will investigate how to make The Crammer more wildlife-friendly, but they warn that it could cost hundreds of thousands of pounds.

And cleaning the water in the pond could cost up to £1 million.

The legitimate project is not to be confused with this April Fool's story.

The move to improve The Crammer comes after Devizes resident Sally Noseda suggested on social media that the pond area could be rejuvenated as a Jubilee project.

Cllr Wallis, who works in environmental policy, said: “Sally’s post attracted many comments in support and ideas of what authorities could do to improve the area for nature and provide a pleasant place for residents, including benches, wildflower areas, reed beds and a central island for nesting.”

He added: “A project to make the Crammer more wildlife-friendly could cost hundreds of thousands of pounds and finding the money is likely to be the easy part.

“We will need community involvement every step of the way, from ideas, sitting on project groups, and helping to plant and maintain the area.”

Cllr Greenwood, who has a background in agriculture and environmental issues said: “It is very encouraging that so many people are interested in the future of the Crammer and the town council understands how important this area is to residents and visitors.

“It is very important that whatever is done is the right thing as the project is likely to be very expensive and doing the wrong thing could have unforeseen consequences for the wildlife who call the Crammer home”.

He added: “The cost of cleaning up the Crammer is likely to be prohibitive, as its only water supply is the adjacent road drains, and surface runoff. Until Wiltshire Council diverts that source, any effort at cleaning up the contents, will amount to pushing the proverbial up a slope.

“The water is heavily polluted, and the potential bill is likely to approach £1 million, the bill for removing a tiny proportion [of pollution] last time, was £135,000.

Residents who are interested in working with the council to brainstorm ideas for the future of The Crammer can contact iain.wallis@devizes-tc.gov.uk and Chris.Greenwood@devizes-tc.gov.uk