A LITTLEHAM pensioner shed a tear after new fencing was fitted at her home by good Samaritans after her previous garden boundary was vandalised by yobs. Shirley Horswell, of Nelson Drive, was delighted after a group of more than 12 youngsters cleaned up

A LITTLEHAM pensioner shed a tear after new fencing was fitted at her home by good Samaritans after her previous garden boundary was vandalised by yobs.

Shirley Horswell, of Nelson Drive, was delighted after a group of more than 12 youngsters cleaned up her garden and helped install the fence last week.

The youths carried out the work as part of a We Love Exmouth project, an annual community scheme which involves support from businesses, East Devon District Council and the Opendoor Ice Project.

The kind-hearted youngsters were a group of volunteers from places including the community college, youth clubs and local churches.

Delighted with her new-look garden, Mrs Horswell, 72, said: "The organisers of the I love Littleham scheme sent letters through doors wanting to know if anyone wanted any jobs doing.

"We wanted a new fence putting up at the top of our garden so we filled in this letter and my husband, Ronald, took it down to the vicarage to be picked up by John Prockter, the scheme's organiser.

"They put two six foot fences up, painted it and everything. They did a really lovely job."

Mrs Horswell said the youths also cleaned her windows, washed her doors and cleared her pathways of moss which had built up.

The group took part in a number of clean-up operations in Littleham last Thursday and Friday, April 9.

The businesses who supported the We Love Exmouth project included Jewsons Builders, who supplied the fence free of charge, Tesco supermarket and Brandon Hire.

Mrs Horswell added: "The youngsters were so polite, well mannered and worked like Trojans to get the fencing up.

"A few years ago the council put up a fence but it was only a small one and got damaged by youths who were climbing on it.

"I got onto the council asking for a replacement and they said they did not have enough money to do it. This however is really sturdy. I was so overwhelmed that I shed a tear."

John Prockter, 31, the project leader, said: "We had the privilege to spend quite a lot of time with the Horswells. They are a wonderful couple.