Mass police call out over mower dispute

Police from all over South Canterbury descended on the town of Fairlie on Saturday because of a dispute over - a lawn mower.

At least five people were involved in the neighbourhood spat which turned "ugly" resulting in a scuffle, The Timaru Herald reported.

Temuka, Timaru, Fairlie and Geraldine police all attended the incident and one man will appear in court later this week charged with possession of an offensive weapon, Senior Constable Russell Halkett said

A witness said the "punch up" started after a man accidentally took the wrong lawnmower from a neighbouring property to mow his lawn.

- NZPA