Jeremy Vernon battles with overgrown pathways in Launceston

A resident of Launceston, Cornwall, goes above and beyond battling weeds and overgrown pathways free of charge to keep fit and help the community.

Jeremy Vernon, 51, said despite having his kidney removed due to cancer he could not resist clearing neglected paths in his free time and it had made him a hit on social media.

In one area he cut back the brambles and scraped off all the weeds before spending several hours pressure washing the steps.

He said he did it due to "the satisfaction after walking down the path after it has been cleaned and the reaction you get from members of the public and people on social media that seem to appreciate what's being done".

Vernon is a self-employed steel erector who has worked on rollercoasters and movie sets, such as Death on the Nile and Ready Player One.

He had been living in Wiltshire until he discovered he had kidney cancer, had a kidney removed and moved back to Cornwall for what he called a "better, nicer pace of life".

"But work is still up London way, but when I get back down here I go for a walk see a mess get my shovel and wheelbarrow and start clearing places up.

"It keeps you fit and I think it is better than going to the gym.

"I rang Launceston Town Council, they explained the pathways are not theirs and gave me a number for Cornwall Council.

"I have rang them two or three times explaining that I have the public liability insurance but I don't have permission to be where I am so it kind of invalidates my insurance."

In a statement Cornwall Council said: "We support residents volunteering and our contractor Cormac oversees a range of community-led projects on council land, from working on woodland to re-wilding parks to weeding open spaces.

"Last year 60,000 hours of volunteering were undertaken on council land.

"To ensure volunteers can carry out their work safely on council land and indemnity insurance is provided we request that volunteers register with Cormac at volunteers@cormacltd.co.uk so we can give ongoing advice and support."

Resident Elz Ravenscroft asked Vernon if he would cut back the overgrown bushes on the pavement which her daughter used to walk to and from school.

"Jeremy has worked so hard for all of town and gone above and beyond for us all out of his own free time," she said.

"We're all so massively grateful for all his hard work and dedication to the town and town's people.

"From making the zigzag a safe space to walk through, to tidying up graffitied benches down the Ridgegrove to cut through a path."

She said: "The man honestly deserves so much recognition by the town council and beyond for all he's done."

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