By spring next year, a previously neglected pond will burst into bloom with just over 200 newly-planted lillies.

Volunteers, led by pond specialist Mark Brereton, have been working hard to transform the water feature in Braintree and Bocking Public Gardens.


Father-of-two Mr Brereton, 43, saw the potential in the sorry looking pond and made contact with the garden’s trustees to ask if he could help.


He then brought together a group of volunteers from the Witham branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which he attends, to undertake the ambitious task of restoring it to its former glory.