FEARS have been raised 'forlorn' ducks and other wildlife are being affected by drought-hit ponds at a city beauty spot.

The recent heatwave has caused low water levels in ponds in The Lyppard Grange Nature Reserve.

Wildlife experts have warned that some species could be at risk after the record-breaking hot temperatures have dried up the ponds.

Plastic bottles and rubbish have been exposed by the low water levels with one person on social media describing the ducks as looking 'forlorn'.

Ducks and other birds could be seen trying to soak up the remnants of the water that was left at the scene.

Plastic bottles, a traffic cone and a shopping basket could also be seen in what remained of the pond water.

The beauty spot is a site of scientific interest as it supports one of the largest known breeding populations of Great Crested Newt in the country.

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The ponds are also home to common blue damselflies banded demoiselles, Southern Hawker Dragonfly, smooth newts,  diving beetles and freshwater shrimp.

The Worcestershire Wildlife Trust said the recent hot weather spells throughout the country would have been a major factor in the lack of water in the pond.

A spokesperson for the Worcestershire Wildlife Trust said: "Given the recent hot and dry weather, we’re not surprised that the Lyppard ponds are drying up.

"A lot of smaller water bodies will go dry each summer without too much impact on the species that use them but the pools at Lyppard usually retain water and so some of the wildlife using them could be at risk if they dry out completely."

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The ponds are controlled by Worcester City Council.

A spokesperson said: "We work in partnership with Warndon Parish Council on a weekly basis to clean and tidy the Lyppard Grange pond and its surrounding area and work to clear away rubbish is being carried out across three days this week.

“The lack of rain in recent months has meant that the pond level is lower than usual, which has exposed more rubbish that has been dropped into it.

“There are constraints on the work that can be carried out at the pond because it is a Site of Special Scientific Interest.”