AN ancient dewpond in Yatton - which has been left covered in rubbish for decades - is to be restored to its former glory. Yatton and Congresbury Wildlife Action Group (YACWAG) has started work on a two year long project to restore the pond - a one time o

AN ancient dewpond in Yatton - which has been left covered in rubbish for decades - is to be restored to its former glory.Yatton and Congresbury Wildlife Action Group (YACWAG) has started work on a two year long project to restore the pond - a one time oasis for wildlife and livestock - on the slopes of Cadbury Hill.And the work to restore the landmark, which dates back to the 1820's, received an extra boost this week after the parish council awarded £350 to the project.The pond, made of stone and lined with lime mortar, lies in an area of parkland which is owned by North Somerset Council.Eventually it is hoped the parish council will be able to take on a lease for the land and work in partnership with YACWAG to manage the site.Over the past decades the pond has become a dumping ground for fly tippers and volunteers have spent many hours clearing the area.Car bits, hardcore and old batteries have been just some of the rubbish cleared from the historic site.YAGWAG spokesman Tony Moulin said: "Volunteers have spent a lot of time clearing the site and in total we took 50 bin bags full up with old bits of car out of the pond."We have also been working with a local stone mason as the repair work has to be done very slowly as the lime mortar takes a long time to set."Mr Moulin said he hoped that as part of the restoration, an interpretation board and a viewing platform would be included.He added: "Not only is this a historic site which has inspired a lot of interest from the community, but the pond, when complete will be a valuable wildlife resource."When it is full it will be used by animals to drink and we have already seen bullfinches in the area."Dew ponds on the Mendips and at Abbots Leigh have also been restored and the parish council is now hoping to attract around a further £2,000 to finish the project.Pictured: Bob Young, Bob Lowman and Terry Long at YATWAG's new project non old dew pond at the top of Henley Lane.