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Britain's oldest groundsman is offering his life savings to try to save the club he has dedicated 40 years to - after a council rent increase left them on the brink of folding.

Devoted Terry Henderson, 76, spends 12 hours a week looking after the pitch at lowly Hallen FC, despite walking with the aid of sticks.

He regularly drives the tractor to cut the grass and lives in a mobile home next to the rural ground outside Bristol.

(Image: SWNS)

But the 66-year-old club fears they will have to fold after the local parish council suddenly increased their annual rent from £12,000 to £20,000.

Terry, whose wife Eileen died last year, said the club was his other love and he could not bear to lose that too.

He has offered his life savings to fund the £20,000 needed to keep the club running for at least more season until a longer-term solution is found.

(Image: SWNS)

He said: "My wife was the love of my life, and now I could be losing yet another love of my life. I have many fond memories here at the club and would be devastated if it were to fold. It really means the world to me."

The club claimed the parish council had £1.8 million in the bank and was refusing to consider options such as them leasing the ground.

Hallen FC say they will have no playing facilities from May 31 and will have no choice but to fold.

(Image: SWNS)

Almondsbury Parish Council insisted they were trying to find a solution to the financial problems.

A spokesman said: "The club are not being evicted. Unfortunately a solution has not proved possible and Hallen Football Club are unable to sign any agreement or to pay an economic rent on the premises."