Trim the sides of the liner leaving a 30cm (12in) overlap around the sides of the pond. Cover these with paving slabs, or if you want to create a more natural effect, lay turf up to the water's edge.

Natural ponds come and go. They fill up when it’s wet and empty when it’s dry. Pond wildlife has learnt to live in these changeable worlds in remarkable ways. Life can thrive in temporary ponds, human ...