Local Thringstone landowners - the de Lisle family - have agreed to help maintain the grassed areas in the village centre - after the announcement of planned cuts by North West Leicestershire District Council.

With Thringstone not having its own parish council, it relies on the services provided by the Coalville Special Expenses group.

But that group was told last month that cuts would have to be made if the freeze on Council Tax across the district was to remain.

A statement released yesterday (Thursday) said: "When a press release from North West Leicestershire District Council was issued about potential cuts to Coalville Special Expenses, a wave of concern went through Thringstone, as without a parish council of their own, the village relies on this pot to fund various things in the area.

"Local voluntary group, Friends of Thringstone, were particularly concerned over the suggested proposal to stop regular grass cutting on The Green, with it being the centre of the village and on a main traffic route.

"Despite having a gardening team of their own, they felt unable to take on extra gardening work."

Various people were consulted, meetings had and others then contacted by Friends of Thringstone asking for help.

This help came in the form of an agreement to cut the grass around The Green on behalf of the village by local landowners, the de Lisle family.

It has been agreed that the small flowerbed close to the driveway to the centre be grassed over, and the whole area seeded with grass so it will be easier to mow come the Spring.

The other flowerbed is already being planted and maintained by Friends of Thringstone.

Ed de Lisle said: 'We are pleased to be able to help the village, and would like to thank Friends of Thringstone and the wider community for all their hard work over the years in reducing all the litter in Grace Dieu woods."

Chairman of Friends of Thringstone, Nita Pearson said: 'We are most grateful to the de Lisle family for stepping in to help ensure that our village centre looks its best.

"For our part, we will continue to ensure the area is as litter free as possible, and that the planting for which we are responsible looks its best at all times."