AN OXFORDSHIRE grandfather has transformed his garden into an ‘army’ to ‘keep people smiling’ during lockdown.

Mervyn Huxtable, aged 85, lives in Kennington and repurposed pitchforks and other gardening tools, as well as an old gas mask, to create his ‘Grandad’s army’.

Sharing a picture of his display, he said: “I would like to go out and help but I know I must do as instructed and stay on my own at home.

"To keep myself busy I have set this up in my front garden, this is my way to try to keep people smiling as they do their one hour exercise."

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His homemade signs urge people to ‘join Grandad’s army’ and ‘support the NHS stay at home’, adding: “Grandad’s army is ready to defend you."

Mr Huxtable said he had been 'amazed' by the positive response of those passing, and had hoped it would 'give people a giggle'.

He added he was missing his two granddaughters and four brothers and said: "Hopefully we will be able to meet soon in the mean time I will keep up the fight.”

He had to take down his original display due to bad weather but is planning to have it up again for VE Day on Friday.