A MAN undergoing treatment for a brain tumour is calling for action to stop bird droppings affecting his quality of life.

Raymond Maughan, 59, of Ushaw Moor, said the birds roosting in the tree above his Hall Avenue home has been a problem for about eight years.

As well as leaving poo all over his yard and car when it is parked on his drive, he says it makes the area slippery when wet and is brought into his house by his dog.

He has been locked in a lengthy battle with County Durham Housing Group, which has cut some branches down to address the problem, but now he wants the offending tree removed.

Mr Maughan, who is being given radiotherapy treatment, said: “I am tempted to saw through the tree just enough so they have to come and take it down.”

Mr Maughan has written to Durham County Council and his local MP, Roberta Blackman-Woods, about the matter.

County Durham Housing Group Neighbourhood Manager, Carol Crathorne, said: “We recently arranged for pruning to be carried out. We’d be very happy to discuss any further concerns they may have in relation to the tree.”