A MACHINE originally made out of spare bits in a workshop near Malvern could be the next big thing in the gardening world.

The Ground Clearer was invented 10 years ago by engineer Pete Farman to cut through six acres of overgrown land he owned at Birchwood, near Storridge.

Last year Mr Farman sold his business to Rod Laight of Reddifast Steels in Cradley Heath, who spent three months updating and improving the design and now orders are rolling in.

“I couldn’t find anything on the market at the time that would clear the amount of land I had,” said Mr Farman.

“So I sat down and made something out of spare bits I had lying around. “I used a lawnmower engine to drive a rotary blade mounted on a frame with one front wheel and two side wheels.

“I admit the first machine looked rather stupid, but it worked and neighbours asked if they could borrow it. “It all took off from there.”

Mr Laight is also chairman of Bromsgrove and Redditch Manufacturers Association.

He said: “The Ground Clearer is a robust machine which fills a gap in the marketplace.

“It’s an innovative gardening hybrid which is a cross between a lawn mower and heavy duty brush cutter.

“It’s perfect for anyone who has to tend to large areas of land, as it is very effective for cutting through tall and tough brambles, gorse, reeds and bracken. Orders for the machine have already been placed by local councils and there is significant interest from commercial venues such as golf clubs and hotels, as well as from members of the public who have large gardens or small holdings.”