The machine has set to work on Scotsman's Pit at Great Massingham, near King's Lynn, where more than 100 carp have perished during this summer's heatwaves.

Its longer reach means it can dig further out into the lake, where up to 6ft of silt has built up over the years.

Tonnes of silt needs to be removed from the lake before it is topped up again by its spring (Image: Chris Bishop)

"I must admit it's amazing how deep that's going into the silt," said Stephen Hudson, churchwarden at nearby St Mary's Church. "There's got to be a few hundred loads in that.

"It always looked so peaceful but under the water there's 6ft of silt."

Mr Hudson, 82, said........

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