A NINE-year-old boy who charmed officials into offering him a gardening work experience day has had “the best of his life”.

Lincoln Johnson, from Ormsgill, wrote an application to Continental Landscape, the company who manages Barrow Park, three weeks ago during a letter-writing class at school.

After receiving his letter Barrow Park staff swiftly responded to the aspiring landscaper with a letter of invitation for a work experience day to learn all that’s involved in the trade.

Lincoln was invited to a four hour work experience day where he shadowed gardening officials, and close friends, Sid and Gaz round the Barrow park complex.

Lincoln said: “It was the best day of my entire life.

“There was loads of machinery and I saw where they cut the grass, it was amazing.

“I definitely want to be a gardener when I’m older now.”

Lincoln helped gardening officials with plant maintenance, grass cutting and safety.

He said: “I wore a bright yellow jacket which I already have myself at home.

“I know that the jackets are used to help you be seen when you’re working the machinery.”

Lincoln’s mum, Sherrona Shaw, said the work experience day has been invaluable and should be a regular activity to help children get involved in the community.

She said: “As soon as he came home, Lincoln was smiling ear to ear and said he’d had the best day of his entire life.

“As well as giving Lincoln an amazing day, they gave him a fluorescent jacket, pens and a ruler for school, plants to plant himself, they were all so lovely and encouraging towards him.”

Lincoln also received a laminated certificate from Continental Landscape to mark the end of his work experience.

Mrs Shaw added: “The manager, Wayne, said he’s definitely got a job there when he’s older.

“I think days like these should hopefully spur other kids into getting involved in the community.

“We should introduce some sort of weekly club where all the kids get involved as it so beneficial for them.”