A Stroud village have raised more than £250 for a local litter picking hero on his 80th Valentine’s Day birthday.

Martin Clements, from King’s Stanley, has been kindly keeping King’s and Leonard Stanley clean and tidy for eight years.

A Stanley’s resident, Dan Wheeler, began a fundraiser to show the villages’ gratitude and presented Martin with a Highfield Garden Centre voucher, a box of Ferrero Rocher’s and a plant on Sunday.

“This is completely unexpected, but truly appreciated. Thank you to everyone that was involved with making this happen, and a special thank you to Dan Wheeler and to Linda Fryer for helping Dan to decide what to do.”

Martin, who was born in Whiteshill in 1941, has lived in the Stroud area his whole. He went to Rodborough school, worked at his dad’s barber shop in Nailsworth and then at Haresfield court.

He went on to Redlers where he met his wife Irene and moved with her to Leonard Stanley after being offered a job from Pullens at Priory Farm.

Martin had three sons and worked until he was 65 before retiring and moving to King’s Stanley, where he has been litter picking ever since.

Dan Wheeler said: “I wanted to give back a little something for all his hard work and dedication over the years he has been keeping the village tidy.”

“A big thanks to all of the villagers that donated. The total amount raised was £251.50.”

Well-wishes and thanks have poured in from Stanley’s residents.

Village hairdresser Linda Fryer said: “We are lucky as a village to have such a caring man doing such an amazing job.”

“I think we should also praise Dan for being thoughtful.”