A MUM-of-four has won an award for having the ugliest lawn in the world.

Kathleen Murray’s bandicoot-ravaged garden beat off a host of unattractive ones from across the globe, including entries from the UK, US, Canada and Germany

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Kathleen, of Sandford, in Tasmania, Australia said her garden looks like a “real-life Hungry Hungry Hippo game”.

Her lawn has shrivelled plants, large divots, and sparse patches of dry grass.

She said: “The bandicoots love digging, that’s how they find their favourite food.

“I also have an echidna that helps, and some chooks.

“Now my back yard looks like a real-life Hungry Hungry Hippo game.”

The competition was organised by the authorities on Gotland Island, Sweden.

It was first launched two years ago to encourage islanders to conserve water during a severe drought period.

This year, the contest went global, with participants entering from the four corners of the world.

After coming out on top, Kathleen was awarded with a pre-owned T-shirt that said: “Proud owner of the World’s Ugliest Lawn.”

She stated: “I used to think the bandicoots were wildlife of mass destruction, invading my lawn.

“Now I see that they’ve actually liberated me from ever having to mow it again.”

Kathleen – who has four teen kids – added: “I’m all for guilt-free weekends, especially since my ex-husband left with the lawnmower back in 2016.”

Gotland officials said the contest, along with other measures, has helped to reduce water consumption by 5%.

Municipality spokesperson Mimmi Gibson explained: “It’s a gentle way to nudge people into action and it automatically turns you into a climate hero by not doing anything.

“We need to start the conversation on how to save water.”
Gibson added: “All entries were hideous and well worthy of winning, but the winning entry was really, really bad.”

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