A silted-up pond which dried out in the drought is being dredged to restore it to its former glory.

The picturesque pit, in the middle of Great Massingham, became a sea of mud during the heatwave. It has since been replenished by recent rains.

Eastern Daily Press: The pond dried out completely during the heatwaveThe pond dried out completely during the heatwave (Image: Andrew Waddison)

Neighbours said they believed silt had only been removed from the pond once in 50 years.

Now an operation is under way to remove decades of mud.

A conservation group - Friends of Scotsman's Pit Massingham - cares for the village's other main pond, named after a whisky magnate who once lived on its banks.

Eastern Daily Press: Work is under way to clear silt from the pond at Great MassinghamWork is under way to clear silt from the pond at Great Massingham (Image: Chris Bishop)

It hopes to see improvements to all of the ponds in the village.

Bob Bone said on its Facebook page: "The partial desilting of the Post Office Pit is a great start. This will act as a small flood plain and hold back water that in the past has flooded Weasenham Road.

Eastern Daily Press: Villagers have been calling for the pond at Great Massingham to be dredgedVillagers have been calling for the pond at Great Massingham to be dredged (Image: Chris Bishop)

"When the biodiversity pond is also done there will be a free run to allow the water to flow along Weasenham Road.

"The free running of water between the Ponds and Pits has always been a top priority for FOSPM."