A community-minded teenager has cleared a neglected piece of land in his school holidays.

Matthew Allen, 16, had a long stretch of holidays ahead of him this summer after finishing his GCSEs in June.

Not willing to waste his well-earned break, the teenager, of Beverley Way, Tytherington, wanted to make good use of his time and do some work.

He set to work clearing a piece of neglected land strewn with discarded plastic and glass bottles, food containers and dog mess covered by fallen twigs and branches.

With the help of grandad Kevin Hanrahan, 80, Matthew cleared more than 10 bags from the site off Lydiat Lane in Alderley Edge, near where his grandad lives.

Matthew, who worked with residents who did not want the wild shrubs to be cut too low, said the land had become untidy over the years.

The Tytherington High School student, who is due to get his GCSE results today (Thursday), has given up at least a day a week over the past two months to carry out the work and is not finished yet.

Matthew, who lives with parents Denise and Steve and brother Dominic, said: “I wanted to be a good citizen and have enjoyed the work.

“It was tiring, and certainly a bit of manual labour, but after my GCSEs I had a lot of time on my hands and didn’t just want to sit around and watch TV.

“It was nice to see that the neighbours were pleased with what we’ve done.

“I was happy to help and it was good working with grandad, he is a joker and always tries to make me laugh.”

Matthew said that young people sometimes get a raw deal.

He said: “Teenagers get a hard time sometimes but we’re all different and not all badly behaved.”

The youngster, who hopes to return to his school to take

A- levels in business, finance and English language, does have other another interest to fill his time – football.

He writes a sports blog and is a big Liverpool fan, which gives scope for banter with his Manchester United-supporting grandad.

Mr Hanrahan, married to Maureen, of Netherfields, who has lived in Alderley Edge for more then 40 years, said: “Matthew was faced with the long summer holiday and was anxious to do some work.

“For 10 years and more the land has been covered with rubbish and fallen leaves.

“But over eight weeks, Matthew has transformed an eyesore into a clean site which is clear for pedestrians. He has helped me with gardening in the past and is a good lad.”

Visit Matthew’s blog at mallensfootball.blogspot.co.uk .