A HOUSEHOLDER accused by a neighbour of creating a "Berlin Wall" in his Kearsley back garden has reduced the height of his fencing.

Andrew Maughan had installed fence panels, erected a pergola and extended the patio in the garden of his home in Greenmount Park without planning permission.

He applied to Bolton Council for retrospective planning permission following a complaint from neighbour Harold Penny that the fence had created a "Berlin Wall" blocking light to his home.

Mr Penny claimed it had spoiled his view of a valley nearby and devalued his property.

In January the council's planning and highways committee deferred a decision on whether to allow the features to remain, but they have now decided the work is acceptable after Mr Maughan reduced the height of a fence panel from 2 metres to 1.6 metres.