PUPILS at an Abergavenny school have been eagerly anticipating the opening of their new wildlife pond.

Staff and pupils at Llantilio Pertholey Primary gathered to watch the new mayor, Councillor Martin Hickman, officially open the pond in one of his first duties as mayor since his installation on Monday.

The pond, which measures around four metres by four metres, is now home to 18 fish, dozens of frogs, snails and other wildlife.

The pond and a security fence cost more than £10,000 to put in place. The cash was raised through events including sponsored sleepovers and a swim-a-thon.

Clive Howells, of the Rotary Club of Abergavenny, was instrumental in giving the school a £3,000 grant towards the project.

The school’s eco-coordinator, Tracey Pugh said they are delighted to have a pond again after the previous two were vandalised.

She said: “It’s taken years to raise funds after the previous ponds were vandalised.”

“The school’s eco-committee chose the fish for the pond themselves and the children are looking forward to using it for activities such as pond-dipping and learning about nature.”