"Peter Lewis" wrote in message
newsan.2002.10.20.14.58.08.446606@NOSPAMflamingc amel.co.uk...
Ok. The lawn is in such a sorry state right now I'm at a bit of a loss.
The grass hasn't been cut for probably a couple of years and is pretty
sparse so that the soil is clearly visible. The grass that is left is
pretty long but flattened so mowing would be difficult.

Cut it, scarify it, aereate it [1], treat with phosphate-based
fertiliser[2], and re-seed.

[1] Stick a garden fork into it, to a depth of about 6 inches, and waggle it
to enlarge the holes. Do this all over the lawn. It loosens the soil after
years of compaction, and so gives the grass roots an easier time.
[2] Phosphate-based fertilisers are for autumn use. They encourage good
root-growth.

You could re-seed it now and see what happens, but you're more sure of good
results if you do it next spring.