A couple are concerned about council-owned trees that have been left unmaintained for years, overgrowing into their property.

Tony Dix, 61, and his wife Yvonne, of St Stephens Avenue in St Albans, have been left without a solution to the trees that were planted 20 years ago and have seen little upkeep since.

The couple have been in contact with the district council, which they say has been reluctant to fix the problem, instead leaving the responsibility to them.

Tony said: “As pensioners, my wife and I were not prepared to clamber up ladders to roof level.

“Nor should we have to pay for tree surgeons to carry out the work which was clearly caused by council trees on council land.”

St Albans council’s head of planning, Tracy Harvey, said: “We have inspected the trees concerned and they appear to be safe. We will continue to monitor their growth to ensure the trees don’t become dangerous or cause damage in the future.”

She added: “In the meantime, we have no objections to the gentleman cutting back the trees to his boundary line, if he wishes, and we can put him in touch with a tree surgeon who can help.”