A LITTLE boy was thrilled when his unusual birthday wish came true.

Felix Slocombe is passionate about lawnmowers.

So the youngster from East Grinstead, wrote to Clive Gravett, curator at the Museum of Gardening in Hassocks, asking if he could see its collection of ride-on mowers after seeing it on television.

The ten-year-old’s family said his fascination began as a toddler when he became interested in garden strimmers, prompting his father to make a model one for him to play with.

Mr Gravett, 67, said he couldn’t wait to meet a “fellow enthusiast” and invited Felix along for a special behind-the-scenes tour.

The Argus:

He said: “It was arranged for him to visit with his parents, brother and sister for a full tour and the rare opportunity to sit on various mowers, something not normally permitted.

“Felix really enjoyed the visit, and he and his family joined us for tea and cakes, plus more questions about lawnmowers.”

Felix, a pupil at Estcots School in East Grinstead, was given a signed copy of Clive’s book, Two Men Went To Mow, which is all about the history of lawn mowing.

Felix celebrated his tenth birthday last week with a mower cake and a present of his own vintage mower.

His mother Kathryn Ferry said the book and the visit had inspired her son’s birthday present.

The Argus:

She said: “Felix was thrilled to get a copy of the book and took it to bed with him to learn more.

“He spent all weekend scouring eBay for mowers and persuaded us that a lawnmower would be an ideal gift.

“He has almost convinced his granddad to store it for him.

“He was given a Ransome Marquis MK 4 18”.

“It’s 60 years old and needs a bit of TLC having not been used for four years.

“Felix and his dad have replaced the spark plug but now need a new seal for the fuel tap which is leaking.

“As Felix is more interested in the engineering of the mower than using it to mow, this is all part of the fun.

“The mower is also really heavy so it might be a little while before Felix is strong enough to push it.”