The grass on a village playing field will look even better thanks to the thoughtful actions of a teenager.

Kings Clipstone Parish Council has taken delivery of a ride-on lawn mower for volunteer gardener Alan Hunt to use after caring resident Oliver Vincent launched a fundraising appeal.

Fourteen-year-old Oliver, a student at The Garibaldi School, Forest Town, regularly uses the playing field for football training.

However, he noticed that gardener Alan, who voluntarily helps to maintain the playing field,, sometimes cuts the grass, using an ‘ordinary’ mower.

Alan’s work, in between scheduled cuts by Newark and Sherwood District Council, ensures that the grass is at the right length for not only football training, but also for other village residents who use the field for recreational purposes.

Oliver said it was hard work for Alan to cut the field with a household lawnmower, so he set up a GoFundMe page to raise funds to buy a sit-on mower for the village to make the volunteer gardener’s work easier.

The teenager, who first approached Kings Clipstone Parish Council about his plan, went on to raise £1,500 with village residents showing great support and generosity, including one resident who donated £500.

Parish councillor Nichola Stevens said they were impressed with Oliver’s community spirit, while Alan added that he could not believe the thoughtfulness of someone so young.

James Aldred, headteacher at The Garibaldi School, which is part of the Nova Education Trust, said: “We are really proud of Oliver and what he has achieved here.

“He took the initiative and confidently set about fundraising to support the needs of the local community.

“I know the community is thankful for his contribution and it is just another way our students go above and beyond for the benefit of others. Well done, Oliver.”

Though Oliver may not cut the grass, he was presented with his own personalised number plate for the mower, which was bought from B&B Tractors, Warsop. The number plate was given to him by the parish council in recognition of his efforts.

Oliver is pictured, right, with the number plate and Coun Nichola Stevens and volunteer gardener Alan Hunt.