A PENSIONER has complained after waiting almost six months for Darlington Borough Council (DBC) to tackle overgrown shrubbery encroaching on his garden.

James Jordison has contacted the council repeatedly to ask them to deal with a large hedge growing behind his property in the Cockerton East area of Darlington.

The hedge, controlled by the council in previous years, has grown unsightly and unmanageable, according to the 78-year-old.

Despite Mr Jordison contacting DBC repeatedly since October, requests to have the offending hedge cut back have not been met.

He said: “I have a tall fence and the hedge has come over it – I’ve been trying to cut it back myself but I’m not a young lad any more.

“They’ve been down to see it and said they needed to bring more men to cut it and that using their machine would end up with bits all over my garden.

“The hedge belongs to the council but they haven’t maintained it and it’s just been left to grow wild.

“I don’ t need this hassle at my time of life.”

Brian Graham, head of environmental services at DBC, said: “We are aware of two formal complaints about the hedge, and need to clarify ownership of the land where it’s growing.

"Regrettably, irrespective of ownership, we don’t cut back any part of a hedge that overgrows into a private garden.

"Should the resident wish to, they can cut back the hedge themselves to the border of their property.”