The grass really is greener for Chippenham resident Mark Harding, who has bought into a franchise lawn care company.

The father-of-four was made redundant from his job in finance after 21 years.

But after a chance encounter as a customer of GreenThumb, he has become its newest franchisee. He looks after hundreds of lawns in Malmesbury, Lacock, Castle Combe, Melksham, Chippenham and Swindon.

Mr Harding, based in Curlew Drive, said: “I was in my garden when a GreenThumb franchisee came around to treat my lawn. He explained that he was selling his franchise to be nearer his family. Following an in-depth discussion with my wife Louise, we decided this was a perfect opportunity.”