OLD folk and young mums are being forced off the pavement by unruly trees and hedges!

Highways bosses say they are receiving more complaints than ever that overhanging bushes are causing an obstruction.

They accept that the prolonged wet weather has led many people to postpone their normal garden maintenance, but urge homeowners to give their trees a spring trim.

Councillor Steve Perkins, highways chairman, said: "Countless homes across the borough have hedges, trees or bushes which grow close to the highway.

"Unfortunately many residents do not realise that these are overhanging and blocking easy access along footways.

"As a result, in some of our streets, it is becoming increasingly difficult, especially for the elderly, disabled and mothers with pushchairs, to walk safely along without having to negotiate these obstructions."

He urges residents to trim their trees, hedges and bushes rather than waiting for an accident to happen.

Coun Perkins asked people who found their route regularly obstructed by trees or hedges to phone 253 5842.