how about a goat ? (Sorry being silly)

Depending on the size of the lawn- weed and feed then reseed any patches, or cut turf to fill the patches? If it's very long use a strimmer (you can hire them if its a big lawn) then mow it regularly, keep blades high at first then gradually lower them.
Regular cutting will discourage some weeds, encourage the grass to grow, feeding should thicken it up, he could go over it with a fork pushing 3-4" holes into it to encourage roots?
We spent last year just regularly cutting ours to get it into shape, have a few patches which we'll get a couple of rolls of turf to cover.
Hope this helps, someone else will probably have a better/ easier solution!

As said above, apply a spring weed and feed now and then mow it weekly . Mowing weekly is important. Many people leave it longer until the grass is to long and then when they mow it looks a mess .If there are any bare patches reseed.

Don't set your mower too low (about an 2 to 2.5 cm is good.... only bowling greens and golfcourses need to be cut lower )

Regular mowing and a weed and feed spring and autumn will return most lawns to good condition.

If there is alot of dead thatch in the grass it will need scarifying to remove it. I'd recommend waiting until early September to do that

thank you so much for your advice,I'll pass it on or
probably end up doing it myself!

But I've never found regular mowing has any effect on flat rosette things like hawksbit, daisies, dandelions etc. Or celandines.

Indeed but it will discourage the taller weeds.

Down on your hands and knees Stera, armed with a weed puller or an old kitchen knife, works a treat, lol...

For those who're prepared to use weed killers I'd recomment Verdone Extra for lawns. From my experience it kills weeds in lawns far more effectively than weed and feed. You apply it via a watering can on a dry day.

It doesn't feed ofcourse but it will kill weeds that granular weed and feeds won't touch

I haven't got enough knees Lincslass, it would take me until the end of the summer! Useful tip Anchorman.

could you use something to feed the lawn after using verdone.i think ive used that myself many years ago and it was very effective. For some reason i thought they had stopped selling it

It's still available. I think I got my last lot from Homebase.

Personally i tend to feed my lawns before applying verdone a few weeks later. ie build them up first.

I'm not sure if there ia a pure feed available . I tend to use a reasonably weak application of granular weed and feed first and then a few weeks later apply Verdone if required.

thanks ill try that because i know it does work. I am a very keen gardener but im afraid i havent passed it on to my son.My daughter in law is interested but doesnt always have the time so i try and help out. I am planting a new border for her. What easy to keep plants would you reccommend.I have planted a couple of grasses,an azalea,geranium and im going to put in a hosta or two.

I produced this blog with the help of others on here which lists long flowering season easy care plants. You may find it useful

http://www.growsonyou.com/anchorman/blog/12681-plants-with-a-very-long-flowering-season

You can get a feed only for lawns- I bought some, couldn't use weed and feed because we planted lots of crocus in the lawns, didn't want to kill them off. I'll go in the shed tomorrow morning and post which brand it is.

Excellent. I'd be glad to hear its name

Thanks for the link Anchorman - I have compiled a long list from it!

:^)