Your questions ANSWERED

QI have a vase of very old artificial flowers that are now looking a bit shabby. I can’t bear to part with them – how can I spruce them up a bit?

Y Kaye, Nottingham Yours says Why not try spray- painting them? Clean the flowers with a damp paper towel then let them dry thoroughly. If they’re plastic you may need a primer, but spraying lightly with layers of gold, rose gold and copper metallic paint, or a combination, will turn them from shabby to chic!

■ Rust-Oleum paint range available from DIY stores

QTwo of my grandchildren have additional needs and our family days out can be financially prohibitive as we need additional carers. Can we get help?

Name and address

withheld Yours says The Max discount card is for families who foster or have children with special needs or disabilities up to the age of 25. Working with your Local Authority, Butlins and Merlin Attractions are among those making days out, more affordable.

■ www.my maxcard. co.uk

QI never seem to have time to mow my lawn and when I do, the grass is too high. Can you recommend a robot lawnmower?

P Johnson, Warwickshire Yours says The Flymo 1200R robotic mower is a quiet machine that cuts your lawn every day, so you don’t have to. Put down the boundary line to avoid ponds, trees and patios, set the schedule and watch it pootle off round the garden coming back the docking station when it needs to recharge. The grass cuttings are so minute, it fertilises the grass as it mows. And if it gently bumps into anything, it’ll turn off into a different direction.

■ £500 for 400sqm version, visit www.ao.com

QMy housebound dad loves reading but I can’t get to the library as often as he’d like. Is there a service that offers this?

T Wall, Torbay Yours says Volunteers from the RVS Books on Wheels services work with local libraries to select reading materials for people that can’t get to their local library.

■ Check with his local library or visit www.royal voluntaryservice.org.uk

QI’d like to get my neighbours a little something for their 50th wedding anniversary. Can you give me any ideas?

Jeanette, Derbyshire

Yours says You don’t have to spend too much to give a thoughtful gift of gold. Fill a wrapped box with gold shredded tissue paper and add gold labelled groceries, these lovely mugs from John Lewis, or initial glasses from M&S plus a little bunch of golden seasonal flowers to help make their special day.

■ John Lewis & Partners, www.john lewis.com. M&S, www. marksand spencer. com