Deal MP Charlie Elphicke has chipped in to help transform an overgrown area of grass in Freemen’s Way.

The unkempt central piece of land in the road, which has been a talking point among residents for years, was cut by the MP and volunteers on Saturday.

Mr Elphicke branded the exercise as the Big Mow.

The MP met with Dover District Council representatives at the site in September when plans were agreed to cut and improve the area.

But since then no progress has been made, leading the MP and residents to take action themselves.

The Big Mow team took to the brambles with brush cutters and used a tractor mower provided by Julian Pitts, of Veg UK, to cut the grass.

Mr Elphicke said: “Residents on Freemen’s Way told me how angry they were that the grass was so overgrown. It was unacceptable that the residents could not use their green. So I decided to organise the Big Mow to cut the grass.

'It was a fantastic day of community action and shows what we can do when we work together. ' - MP Charlie Elphicke

Mr Elphicke thanked all those who took part including Cllr Wayne Elliott, Adrian Friend, Tracy Carr and Julian Pitts.

“It was a fantastic day of community action and shows what we can do when we work together. Action, not words, is what matters.”

He added: “This is just the first step. Now we need action on the children’s play area and a long-term plan for improvement to the field.

“I hope the councillors will be more pro-active and help me to fix the play area. I want all residents to feel proud of where they live.”