CLEARING drains, clipping hedges and cleaning road signs is all part of John Ramsay's round as a parish lengthsman.

Ramsay's beat covers Leintwardine, Burrington and Downton. Over the year in which he has been driving his lorry around the local roads and lanes, his work has developed from sorting out local odd jobs to becoming a welcome reassurance for older people.

His title has a nice traditional ring to it and goes back to the days when a resident in an area was taken on to maintain pathways, verges and public open spaces.

In its present-day form, the post has expanded to take in small-scale environmental projects directly or jointly with local communities. A typical job specification says lengthsmen need the relevant certificates of competence to use strimmers, chainsaws and other equipment and must also have full public liability insurance for at least £3 million.

The idea operates in country areas from Dartmoor to Lancashire. More than two dozen lengthsmen regularly patrol the Offa's Dyke trail along the Welsh border, looking for necessary repairs on stiles, gates, footbridges and steps.

With support from Herefordshire Council, the movement has spread through the county since April 2000. Some 21 parishes have a lengthsman (as yet there are no women) and another 16 are expected to appoint one over the next month.

Among those close to a decision is Brimfield and Little Hereford where Parish Council clerk Karen Yates believes "local problems will be identified and dealt with promptly".

In Orleton, Councillor Simon Snape has been supervising the search for an administrator with a modest budget to co-ordinate the work of a contractor. The right person will also be responsible for knowing about what needs doing along 14 miles of minor roads in the parish. The work is in addition to the County Council's duties, which will continue.

A love of working outdoors is essential. As Leintwardine's Ramsay says, "Some of the jobs such as clearing drains and gully traps and removing leaf mould from kerbs sometimes seems fairly mundane. But along with these tasks comes the smell of freshly cut grass in spring. As everyone with a lawn will know, the aroma is a sweet taste of the summer to come."

With his truck and its orange flashing light, he has become a familiar figure as he stops to prune trees, clear ewe tracks or deal with blocked drains and flooded roads.

"There are two main hazards. Other drivers sometimes roar past at speed and "the windows on my truck seem to be a magnet for flying debris from my strimmers and mowers."

Ramsay's wide experience embraces working on turf, including Ludlow golf course, taking courses in countryside law and gaining a clutch of qualification certificates for his equipment.

Above all he is pleased with the grass areas on both sides of the river Teme "that were cut back and cleared, with nice comments made by parishioners regarding the considerable aesthetic improvement."

There is also a welfare dimension to Ramsay's work. "Older people feel a lot safer, knowing there's someone who goes around every week or so," he says.

He regards himself as very fortunate. "Being outside in the beautiful surroundings of the Shropshire borders, with its wildlife, plant life and majestic old trees, allows me to count myself truly blessed."