If you are in St Mary's Churchyard around 7.30 most mornings you might see the Reverend Sarah Jones going to Morning Prayer. However you might also see a town councillor in amongst the headstones and trees!

The churchyard is a rich source of local history but of course it is also a rich source of plant life. Creepers grow readily and can cover memorials and tombs and hide the details of inscriptions.

Councillor Gordon Lucas has taken on the task of clearing the creepers and unwanted growth from much of the churchyard. In recent weeks he has uncovered details of a soldier who was awarded a medal for bravery and cleared many of the graves between the church and St Mary's hall.

The work in the churchyard has to be fitted in around his commitments for the town council but nonetheless he usually spends one to two hours a day on the project.

Gordon said:?"I enjoy a bit of physical work. I took part in many physical activities when I was a young man – and this helps to keep me fit now."

The Rev'd Sarah Jones told the Ross Gazette: 'It's super that Councillor Lucas is giving his time so generously. He's really making a difference to the area'.