David, 38, of Bradshaw Close, known as the Standish Guerrilla Gardener, is working on improving the land surrounding the disused Standish railway line which runs from Robin Hill Drive to the site of Somerfield, School Lane.

He has been cleaning up litter and planting seeds along the mile-long line for the past two years.

The site is accessible to the public, but it is technically owned by a various people, including Wigan Council, Wainhomes, Persimmon Homes and private owners, and it is therefore illegal to make changes to the land.

But David admitted he has never been told off by the police and is determined to carry on his good work.

He said: "Technically I suppose, if the land is owned, what I'm doing is illegal. But if the land is uncared for and is public access land, and there doesn't seem to be any activity from anyone else, then why not? If I break the law in the name of improving our area then it's a risk I'm prepared to take." David, a graphic designer, started his project two years ago and approached the Standish Community Forum and the council about the state of the disused railway line.

No-one was able to do anything as the land is legally owned by different occupiers.

Having heard about the global Guerrilla Gardener movement, where keen gardeners work to improve uncared for public land, David began his mission with the support of Standish Community Forum.

He added: "I spend only one or two minutes every day doing something with regards to community action and I have achieved so much in that short space of time. If everybody did a little bit, the whole place would be fabulous.

"I am just doing something positive to improve the environment.
"The line is part of our heritage and it was being left to go to rack and ruin. Hopefully, I will restore it to the point where people can use it. The path will run through the village and provide more walkways."

David has also gained the backing of Standish councillor Neil Whittingham. Coun Whittingham said: "He contacted me about 12 months ago explaining he was taking it upon himself to make the place look more attractive and safer to walk down. I put him in contact with a farmer who supplied about 20 or 30 trees and I contacted the council to get some seeds which he planted.

"I don't know whether it is illegal, but I have told the council what he is doing. "