ISLE of Wight education charity, The Footprint Trust, has joined forces with Southern Water to transform local ponds for wildlife and families.

The year-long project will support a pond action scheme which will help communities and schools look after their local ponds.

The ponds will provide activities including supervised pond management sessions for volunteers and pond dipping workshops for children.

The first public event will be at the historic Carisbrooke Pond, the old mill pond situated behind the Eight Bells public house on Wednesday, November 14 between 10am to 1pm.

Conservationists from the local Green Gym group and the Footprint Trust along with staff from Southern Water will be working around the ancient pond, to improve the habitat for bats, bird, butterflies and other wildlife.

Ray Harrington-Vail from the Trust said: “We are delighted to be working with Southern Water staff on this project. The ponds are a popular local feature, with very important wildlife. Helping the water environment is in all our interests, as is raising awareness of water related issues, such as the need to conserve this precious resource."

Beverley Thompson, Community Campaigns and Engagement Manager for Southern Water added:"We’re thrilled to support the Trust’s project which will provide havens for wildlife and places for children and families to enjoy and learn.

“Many of our employees live and work in the community and we are proud to play our part in supporting a project which will offer a range of educational activities and help local people to look after their ponds and protect the environment and wildlife around us.”

The Footprint Trust works with schools, families and local communities and provides fun, educational activities to teach people ways to help protect the environment and reduce the “footprint” of the Isle of Wight.