BADSHOT Lea Pond is in the running to win up to £5,000 towards a new dipping platform - but needs public votes.

Voting in the Aviva Community Fund competition can be done online at www.community-fund.aviva.co.uk/voting/project/view/17-3167 and is open until Tuesday, November 21.

The money will be used to replace and extend the pond’s existing dipping platform, providing better access to view its wildlife.

Waverley Borough Council, which is leading the project, also hopes to install new interpretation boards so people can learn more about the pond’s ecosystem and history.

Kevin Deanus, Waverley’s portfolio holder for community, said: “Last year we restored the pond, with the help of some local volunteers, by removing some overgrown vegetation, excavating silt and raising the bank to prevent flooding after heavy rain.

“Despite this great work, it would be a fantastic finishing touch to give the community the new dipping platform.

“We hope this will encourage school children to learn about the habitats and be able to see the ecosystem in action. It will also provide people with better access to a serene place to watch the world go by, feed the ducks and learn about the pond’s history.

“So I’d like to appeal to you all to get behind this project and vote, vote, vote.”