WORK has begun to dredge a Southampton pond after fish were seen “gasping” for air due to low oxygen levels.

On Monday, work began at Millers Pond, Sholing to dredge and remove lily’s and weeds to improve oxygen levels.

This comes after years of fish coming to the surface and “gasping” for air because oxygen levels in the water were “dangerously” low.

Throughout this week, Southampton City Council is using floating diggers to remove the plants in the hope that this will alleviate the problem.

The charity that runs the pond, The Sholing Valleys Study Centre has said it is “delighted” that work has begun after it was delayed for a year due to coronavirus restrictions.

Chairman, Colin Oliphant, said: “It’s been going on for a few years now and it’s been a great concern for us.

“The water is now at the stage where it is so black and dirty that there is no oxygen in it.”

This comes after fish died in lakes across Eastleigh last year after they were starved of oxygen because of an abundance of algae.

Although fish have been seen dead and floating on the surface at Millers Pond, Colin doesn’t think any fish have died because of the low oxygen levels yet.

He added: “They’ve either been old or someone’s been there and caught it and didn’t know where to put it back.”

Works are programmed to be completed at the end of the week when refurbishments will begin on the fishing swims and the pond banks.

Some overhanging three removal is also programmed to assist in preventing leaves from clogging and causing further problems.