Having grown up next to Boxers Lake in Oakwood, Graham McNeil could not bear it as overgrowing weeds and plants turned it into an “eyesore”.

So the 29-year-old decided the do something about it, and has ploughed nearly £1,000 into returning the green space to its former glory.

Mr McNeil, who still lives “about 40 seconds walk” from the lake, has owned Green Elite Landscaping for past three years, and has put his expertise and resources into cleaning it and its surrounds up after health issues stopped the caretakers from doing so this year.

He said: “It has been getting ugly, there have been no grants or help from the council, and the people in charge couldn’t do it so it was getting out of control.

“I love the fishing lake, I have been going there since I was 10, but it was a complete eyesore. Now it is back to its former glory.

“It was overgrown with brambles, we had to cut just about everything back. It’s ongoing, there is still a lot more to do, we have to rebuild a lot of the banks and it needs major tree surgery.”

The park is owned by Enfield Council, but the upkeep is the responsibility of the Boxers Lake Conservation and Angling Association.

Mr McNeil, who is now a “bailiff” for the association – effectively a caretaker - says he would like to “take the reins” for the park eventually and remain involved in keeping the park looking goo.

Angling Association secretary Sue Davey, who has been involved with the lake for 30 years and overlooks it from her house, said they normally keep the grounds looking pristine, but she suffered broken ribs earlier this year, and with other members also having health issues, it had fallen into disrepair.

She said: “We are really happy to have Graham, we cut the grass and plants back every year, this is the first year it was not done.

“We are glad to have him on board and we are looking forward to the next session.”