A charity that won more than £5,000 as part of a Lancashire Telegraph competition has completed their work regenerating a fishpond.

Friends of Sunnyhurst Woods, based in Darwen, won the money in the competition, which was held last year, and has used the cash to regenerate the Ellis Gibson fishpond.

The fishpond was last renovated by the group in 2008 and required professional intervention for it to be drained, cleaned and refilled, as it conatined a lot of silt.

Lancashire Telegraph: The Ellis Gibson fishpond while it was being refurbishedThe Ellis Gibson fishpond while it was being refurbished

They have also been able to reintroduce wildlife to the pond and install a path all the way round so that families who visit the woods can look at the frogs and fish.

Chairman of the Friends of Sunnyhurst Woods, Dougie Wright said: “It’s been great to be able to regenerate the Ellis Gibson fishpond - we want to thank the Lancashire Telegraph for the funding to help make it possible.

“Putting the path around it and cleaning it out means that children who have only ever seen the pond while it is not in its best state, can properly enjoy it.

“Now, families can walk around and look at the wildlife in the pond.

“We can’t wait to get going on more projects in the woods.”

Lancashire Telegraph: The Falcon Avenue Gates which have been taken down and repaintedThe Falcon Avenue Gates which have been taken down and repainted

Earlier this year, the charity, which is completely operated by volunteers, took down the Falcon Avenue Gates, cleaned them and refurbished them before putting them back up.

They also have future plans to create a memorial garden in the old part of the park that used to home peacocks.

The Friends group are hoping to work with Blackburn College and their design pupils, who will visit the park, speak to volunteers and visitors and put together a number of designs which will then be decided between by the charity.

They are then hopeful that local businesses will help support them in fundraising or providing the material needed to create the garden.

The charity is looking for volunteers and meets at the visitors centre in the woods on the second Saturday of the month at 9.30am.