A golf fanatic is getting his daily exercise during lockdown using a car that he converted into a mobile driving range.

John Imrie renovated the £400 ($491) Daihatsu Charade with the help of his mate Kurt Hill pre-pandemic to make it easier for him to get his golf fix on the move – truly putting the drive in driving range.

However, now that golf courses are closed, the 27-year-old is getting more use out of it than ever before.

He said: “Now that the lockdown is in place and the car is sat on my drive, this is the perfect way to spend my one hour of exercise a day. I have the countryside right on my doorstep.

“It’s a great way to keep the golf going, let off some steam and keep sport in my mind since all gyms, golf courses and football clubs are closed for the foreseeable future.

“I have always been a sporty person. I take the car out almost daily.”

But while this may seem like an idyllic way to get some fresh air and blow away a few cobwebs, it’s worth pointing out that the government is advising people to ‘exercise locally’ as ‘no non-essential travel should be made’; that means, exit your front door and walk/run around your immediate vicinity, don’t drive up to the moors and smash golf balls about.

However, the admin worker, from Northumberland, said his modified car – dubbed ‘El Slice’ – has been brightening people’s days in these dark times.

He said: “The police are always keen to drive behind me with the ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) to make sure all of the modifications are insured properly. But when they realise this car is taxed, has an MOT and is insured properly, they leave me to it.

“I think they can see the comedy value and fact this car is cheering a lot of people up during a time like this! The confusion on peoples’ faces at first is amazing.

“But, as more and more people become aware of its existence, people like to cheer us on, applaud our shots, get a picture or simply give us a wave on our travels.”

You can find out more about the UK’s social distancing guidance here.