On Saturday, May 3, 2014 4:13:53 PM UTC+1, Mervington wrote:
Recommendations for a mower of this size/type that have a reputation for
easy start, would be much appreciated.

Well, I bought a new John Deere two years ago which has electric start, which ought to be fantastic but is actually a pile of junk. It won't re-start when hot, which is annoying because it has one of those auto-stop things for when you let go of the handle. It's a briggs&stratton but no-one can make it behave.

I think the sugestion of a rechargeable Bosch electric is a very good one indeed, although you would have to push it.