ROSPA is urging Worcestershire gardeners to ensure that mowing the lawn will not mean a short cut to hospital.

With the lawnmower topping the list of the 10 most dangerous gardening tools, mowing the lawn can lead to a bumper crop of accidents.

Figures from The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents indicate that around 1,000 people a month injure themselves in the garden, a steady rise following an increasing popularity in gardening.

With hedge trimmers and secateurs hot on the heels of the mower, the Society is keen to remind people of the dangers involved in gardening tasks.

Stay alert

"It's worth remembering that around 400,000 people are injured in their gardens each year, and 50 killed," said David Jenkins, RoSPA product safety adviser.

"Gardens are great places to relax, but when you are using garden tools you need to stay alert.

"Electric mowers and other power tools must always be used with an RCD - residual current device - which will cut of the power quickly in the event of an accident."

"It's best not to have children around when mowing the lawn. Wearing gloves and stout shoes with rubber soles could prevent many injuries," he added.