AN appeal for Malvern stone to shore up the bank of the village pond in Hanley Swan has been a great success.

After pond warden Neil Verlander appealed in the Gazette last October for donations of stone, he was overwhelmed with the response.

"We had everything from a few chunks from someone dismantling a rockery, to somebody who gave us an entire stone wall," he said. "In all, we had about 50 tons. We're very grateful to everyone who donated the stone, and to farmer Francis Harcombe, who provided the transport."

The stone was put in place on the pond's western bank by volunteers and by workers from Worcestershire County Council's Community Payback scheme. "We're very grateful to them as well," he said.

But the project is not yet finished and Mr Verlander is appealing for more stone to help repair other parts of the pond's edge. He can be contacted on 01684 310887.