A KENDAL woman who was missed out by a gardening scheme to have her hedges trimmed has been told it will cost £600 pound to sort out her unruly shrubbery.

Heather Hunter, of Echo Barn Hill, had applied to be put on the plan with South Lakes Housing, but an error meant she was missed out from the £20-a-cut programme and her hedges have not been cut all year.

Ms Hunter, 54, has been off work after suffering a heart attack meaning she has been unable to tackle the out-of-control vegetation herself.

"I've been forgotten and a result my hedge hasn't been trimmed since last year," she said. "I've put in several complaints and have been told the quote for this one-off cut is £600.

"I can't get my car in my driveway without scratching it which is causing insurance problems, and my garden is getting smaller and smaller.

"I can understand the fact they are saying the £600 can't be justified, but it leaves me with masses of problems."

South Lakes Housing has acknowledged that Ms Hunter was never added to the programme after they last cut her hedge, and arrangements are being made to resolve the issue.

John Mansergh, assistant director at South Lakes Housing, said: "Tenants are normally responsible for maintaining gardens and hedges but we do provide a small cutting service for a limited number of elderly and disabled tenants in return for a small fee.

"We cut the hedge back at Ms Hunter’s home as a ‘one off’ a couple of years ago but we did not add her to our garden assistance scheme and we have not been billing her for the service. As there has been quite a lot of growth since, we are seeking quotations to get the best price for the job. Once we have arranged to cut back the hedge we will put Ms Hunter onto the programme for the next 12 months."