THE COMMUNITY rallied round to save 152 fish from Big Mead pond - which is losing water and was starved of oxygen during the heatwave yesterday (Thursday).
Plans were in place to temporarily move the fish today (Friday) but due to the extreme heat, the plans were moved forward and a call went out for volunteers to step in and help.
The fish have all been moved to a safe place nearby.
Scroll down to see video of the pond, taken on Monday
It means work can now be done on the pond, in Shanklin Old Village, which needs old pipework replaced and a new soakaway.
Then, it is hoped the fish can move back.
Adrian Whittaker, a Shanklin town councillor but volunteering as a member of the public, said there were three landowners involved and some very old iron pipework, but a solution had now been worked out.
The water going to the pond is viable, it just struggles to get there.
Just shy of £2,000 is needed to carry out the work and a fundraising page has been set up to raise the money. There will also be the opportunity for people to "sponsor a pipe".
Adrian said: "The fire brigade put 10,000 litres of water in on Sunday but we can't keep asking them to do that.
"We are now drying the pond out and letting the silt dry."
He hopes the pond will be restored to its former glory.
Help is needed tomorrow (Saturday) at 12 noon, if anyone would like to volunteer. Wear wellies and take a spade.
The fundraising link can be found by clicking here
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