An angry pensioner's battle with the city council has been reignited due to his frustration about fly-tipping and overgrown hedges outside his flat block.

Michael Stewart-Watling, 76, who lives in Cherry Close in Lakenham says the council have refused to trim his bushes despite the fact he is unable to do so himself due to a hernia.

He also says his street and those nearby are littered with rubbish dumped by inconsiderate neighbours, which has not been cleared up for months.

When contacting the council for help Mr Stewart-Watling says he was given a short shrift by council officials who told him he would have to pay for it himself.

Norwich Evening News: Michael Stewart-Watling at his Cherry Close homeMichael Stewart-Watling at his Cherry Close home (Image: Newsquest)

He said: "I got in touch with them in December last year and they didn't want to know.

"I can't pick up sheers because of my trouble and the council were very abrupt, but last time eventually someone came and did it because of the Evening News.

"But now I can't convince them, they say they want me to pay, but I'm not paying, it's their property.

Norwich Evening News: An array of litter has been dumped in Cherry CloseAn array of litter has been dumped in Cherry Close (Image: Newsquest)

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"Housing services said they would send someone at the start of this month but they never came, it was so frustrating.

"They're taking the mickey now, the bin men keep telling me to clean that and the rubbish, but I can't."

Norwich Evening News: Mr Stewart-Watling's bush overhangs two pavementsMr Stewart-Watling's bush overhangs two pavements (Image: Newsquest)

Mr Stewart-Watling says the hedges and rubbish, which includes abandoned hoovers, discarded cat food and soiled sanitary products, has now attracted rats from the railway line opposite.

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Norwich Evening News: Abandoned hoovers in Cherry CloseAbandoned hoovers in Cherry Close (Image: Newsquest)

He added: "The council haven't done a damn thing and now this all starts happening, the rats have been there a month.

"It isn't like it used to be back in the day when they used to come round every week, I don't even know what a housing officer looks like these days.

Norwich Evening News: Mr Stewart-Watling is fed up with masses of litterMr Stewart-Watling is fed up with masses of litter (Image: Newsquest)

"They waste millions here there and everywhere, why can't they just sort it out?"

Norwich City Council have been contacted for comment.