A COUNCIL which scrapped a free grass cutting service has warned tenants they could be in breach of their tenancy agreement if they fail to keep their gardens tidy.

Elderly and disabled council house tenants were angered when Wear Valley District Council ordered them to spruce up the outside of their properties.

Many of the gardens have only become overgrown since the authority withdrew a garden maintenance service last year to cut costs.

Housing officers from the council handed out letters reminding tenants of their responsibilities during a routine inspection of Woodhouse Close Estate, in Bishop Auckland.

Doreen Kett, of the Woodhouse Close Residents Action Group, accompanied the officers in an independent capacity when they patrolled the estate.

She said: "Neighbours of some of the houses with untidy gardens complained about them making the estate look messy which is an extra reason the council needs them tidying up.

"I hope tenants don't panic about them but use the letters to prove they genuinely need help to maintain their gardens if they approach community groups or the Probation Service asking for help."

The move has been criticised by disabled pensioner Norman Button, one of the residents who received the notice.

The 66-year-old said some of the tenants were distressed and anxious when they read the letter fearing they could lose their homes because they cannot cope with their gardens.

Mr Button said: "Withdrawing the service just to save money shows that the council has no social conscience. It goes against their own objectives to look after the wellbeing of tenants.

"Some of these elderly and disabled tenants who cannot cope with their gardens are anxious and worried about the letters."

A spokesperson for Wear Valley District Council's housing department said that tenants who received the letters should not panic.

He said: "If people have been unable to make arrangements to have their gardens kept tidy we will endeavour to put them in touch with agencies that can do the work if they call us on (01388) 765555."

Last month, youngsters from Auckland Youth and Community Centre volunteered to trim hedges and lawns because the overgrown gardens were encouraging people to dump rubbish and were being used as hiding places.

The gardening tools they used are now available for hire through a loan scheme.