Vernon is a self-employed steel erector who has worked on rollercoasters and movie sets, such as Death on the Nile and Ready Player One.

He had been living in Wiltshire until he discovered he had kidney cancer, had a kidney removed and moved back to Cornwall for what he called a “better, nicer pace of life”.

“But work is still up London way, but when I get back down here I go for a walk see a mess get my shovel and wheelbarrow and start clearing places up.

“It keeps you fit and I think it is better than going to the gym.

“I rang Launceston Town Council, they explained the pathways are not theirs and gave me a number for Cornwall Council.

“I have rang them two or three times explaining that I have the public liability insurance but I don’t have permission to be where I am so it kind of invalidates my insurance.”

In a statement Cornwall Council said: “We support residents volunteering and our contractor Cormac oversees a range of community-led projects on council land, from working on woodland to re-wilding parks to weeding open spaces.

“Last year 60,000 hours of volunteering were undertaken on council land.

“To ensure volunteers can carry out their work safely on council land and indemnity insurance is provided we request that volunteers register with Cormac at volunteers@cormacltd.co.uk so we can give ongoing advice and support.”