Sidbury Football Club made the cut when it received a cash boost to buy a new lawnmower.

The team launched an appeal last month after its 15-year-old machine packed up just weeks ahead of the new season.

Devon county councillors Claire Wright and Stuart Hughes heard of the club’s plight and each donated £1,250 from their locality budgets to help, leaving the club needing to find £99.

Thankful Sidbury AFC manager Jeremy Schofield said that the councillors’ cash had been a great help.

He said: “We were able to buy a brand new mower for £2,599 and it should last as long as the other one.”

Each county councillor receives a locality budget to spend on projects in their wards.

Councillor Wright said: “They do a great job for the community, encouraging youngsters to play football. It is a big help to them and it is nice to able to help the community.”

Cllr Hughes added: “It was good that we could both work together on this. The club benefits and so does Sidmouth, Sidford and Sidbury - it represents the whole area.”

The newly-cut pitch will be tested out for the first time for the team’s home friendly against Exmouth Town tomorrow (Saturday).