Residents say a stalemate over land ownership has left their village overgrown and shabby.

The tiny community of Wilton, near Middlesbrough, is becoming overrun by greenery, according to householders.

Now they are calling for an end to the dispute, and want landowner George Wimpey to get out the lawnmowers.

However, the property developer, which took over the ownership of the land aboutfour years ago, is refusing to acknowledge responsibility, according to locals.

Sharon King, who has lived in the village for more than 30 years, said: "The state of the village is disgraceful. It's the worst it's ever been."

She said that land ownership was handed to George Wimpey when previous owner ICI sold up about four years ago.

Residents say they were told at the time that they were responsible for certain areas of the village green and Wimpey would take care of the remaining land - trimming trees and shrubs and cutting lawns.

But Mrs King said that the undergrowth was now up to 2ft high.

"Wilton is usually a pretty little village with ancient trees and lush lawns, she said. "But it hasn't been like that since Wimpey took over.

"It's been that bad over the last couple of years that we've had to tend to all the land ourselves to keep the village's character."

However, a spokesman for George Wimpey said: "The management company acting on behalf of the residents is responsible for the land."

A company spokeswoman said later it did not know who the management company was.

Records held at Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council detail Wimpey as joint owner of the land, with Howtins Property Company, based in Lincoln.

Wilton church warden Colin Walker said: "Howtins owned a couple of houses after ICI sold up, but they are all privately owned now.

"They say a management company is acting on our behalf but we don't know who that is."

He added: "A meeting needs to be called between all parties to try to resolve the situation."