IS it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's a new robot lawnmower.

The futuristic lawnmower, which you could be forgiven for mistaking for the Batmobile, is the latest member of the ground-keeping staff at a Malvern-based golf club.

Not only does it cut the grass, it does it quietly and can be programmed to work at night.

The automated device, a Husqvarna Automower, works unassisted day and night, to maintain a large section of the Worcestershire Golf Club’s course at Malvern Wells.

Cutting little but often, the mower recharges itself when needed at its charging station and handles the challenges of the club’s vast expanses of grass, navigating its way around divots and rough patches with ease. It has already made a big impression on both staff and visitors.

Course manager Steve Lloyd said: “It’s great because it means we can keep a consistent cut throughout the week.

“It also saves time on a large patch of area where the rest of the team can focus on hard to reach areas and the trickier spots.

"One of the best things about it is how it doesn’t leave behind any large bits of debris, like traditional mowers do.

“This has improved the quality of the grass massively, in just a short space of time.

“I was sceptical at first that it could cope, but it has surpassed all expectations in its first few weeks.

"The area is looking fantastic, the grass density has improved and it’s keeping on top of the job.”

The new addition gives staff the time to focus their efforts on areas which could often be neglected and keeps a consistent cut on a large patch of grass which would often need to be cut in five-day cycles, affecting how the course was played throughout the week.

The mower is low-noise and can be programmed to run throughout the night.