A GARDENING enthusiastfrom Malvern has been toldshe must remove a floral display that has been outside her home for six years.

Anne Walker plants a selection of pots and tubs in the road outside her home every year.

She used to park her car outside her house but has now given it up, car-sharing to get to her job in Bristol and walking to get anywhere locally.

Worcestershire County Cou-ncil has asked her to remove the flower pots under section 149 of the Highways Act 1980 because they present “a danger to highway users”.

But Mrs Walker, of Lower Wyche Road, said there were always several vehicles parked in the narrow road and that her display took up far less of the road than if she were to park a car outside her home.

“I am trying to put something back into an area I have come to love and respect, and to help the environment,” she said.

“I was furious when I received the letter from the council. I get a lot of compliments about my flowers from both my neighbours and visitors walking in the area.”

Mrs Walker is desperate to keep the display and is even contemplating mounting it on a trailer to try to comply with the council’s regulations.

County council spokesman Paul Whittaker said: “We understand the resident may feel frustrated by our request to remove the items on the highway outside of her property but, as a local authority, we have a responsibility to ensure roads are safe and free from permanent obstructions for all users.

“The problem in this case is, because there is no footway in the area, the items are actually in the road and that does pose a safety risk. This situation only recently came to our attention and a letter has been sent to the resident explaining our decision.”