LAWN mowers will be banned in Bicester’s new eco-town in a bid to create sustainable living.

Residents of the new 6,000-home development will instead be given goats to keep their grass trimmed.

Chairman of the Eco-town trust William Kidd said: “Goats are commonly used for grazing in green areas to keep costs down. Grazing in our gardens will cut lawn-mower fumes and electricity providing a much greener community in our eco-town.”

The initiative will work with goat farmers across Oxfordshire to breed and prepare a tribe of goats for the first new residents.

Bicester farmer Andrew Ramsbottom said: “I’ve kept goats all my life and they are great.”

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