Ron Woodcock (74), from Lower Leicester Road in Lutterworth, is one of a team of six people who have spent thousands of hours clearing and improving the Jubilee Walk on the outskirts of the village between Leire and Frolesworth.

The team, which includes Mr Woodcock and five others from Hinckley and Leicester, volunteered their services to Leire Parish Council about three years ago when they heard about the village walk and decided to help tidy it up.

Since then they have helped make the path, which is just under a mile long, much more open and have uncovered a natural habitat which has allowed more than 100 types of wildflower to grow as well as attracted butterflies and other wildlife.

Mr Woodcock said: “Myself and the other volunteers used to be involved with Natural England but decided to leave when they brought in new rules and the conservation work started becoming less fun.

“We approached Leire Parish Council and asked if we would be allowed to clear the Jubilee Walk and they were very keen to work with us. Since then we’ve been visiting the site for several hours every other Sunday.”

Mr Woodcock said that as well as making the walk more open and attractive, the group eventually wants to introduce more species of wildflowers into the area.

He was invited to speak to members of the parish council at its November meeting to tell them about future plans – and a big thank you was extended to Mr Woodcock for his efforts.

Parish council vice-chairman Keith Brown said: “The work Mr Woodcock and the others have done has been brilliant and has really improved the area. We’ve been surprised at just how much work they’ve done and we’re very grateful.”

For more information about the walk, visit the website www.jubileewalk.co.uk.