IT HAS been hailed a victory for common sense.

Southampton pensioner Peter Andow has mown the verges and planted flowers along his Millbrook street for more than 15 years, and when council chiefs threatened to fine him, The Daily Echo championed his cause.

Highways staff at Southampton City Council were quick to bend a crazy rule, which said the 70-year-old was acting illegally in caring for public land without a licence and faced fines of up to £250

But after a change of heart, Mr Andow was granted the lifelong right to carry on his neighbourly work.

The popular pensioner, of Cherwell Crescent, says he has been moved to tears by the numerous wishes of goodwill he has received from both neighbours and strangers.

One elderly pensioner, who Mr Andow had never met, even offered to pay the £110 cost of a licence that would have been necessary before the council backed down.

The former postman said: "I had a phone call from an 87-year-old lady who wanted to send me a cheque for £110 so I could buy a licence. The kindness almost made me cry, it was really touching."