AN elderly couple who lived in the shadows of a neighbours' 30ft hedge believe new Government measures would have cut their problems down to size.

Joan Turner and her husband Clifford said they spent several hundred pounds regularly trimming the row of leylandii, which they claim had towered above their Fernhill Heath bungalow for nearly 15 years.

Their misery was ended by their new neighbours who, three months ago, chopped the bordering hedge to a respectable size.

But a new high hedges law, cleared by the Commons this week, could have ended their dispute far sooner.

It will give local authorities the power to arbitrate in disputes between neighbours and judge when a hedge has grown too tall. Under the proposals, it can order a hedge to be trimmed if it grows over 2m high and blocks light or access to property. Those ignoring a ruling could be fined £1,000.

The plans - an amendment to the Antisocial Behaviour Bill - are expected to become law once debating of the Bill ends today.

"The hedge was an absolute menace. It was just yards from our bungalow's windows and it blocked out light to the house and garden," said Mrs Turner.

"This Bill is excellent news. If we'd had this earlier it could have made a real difference to our lives and hopefully it will now bring a great sense of relief to others."

Peter Yates, principal planning officer at Worcester City Council, said although people might welcome the law, he feels it may not be practical to enforce.

"It is going to be left to local authorities to serve notices and to deal with all the paperwork. It seems like a lot of time will be taken up to resolve what is essentially a dispute between two neighbours," he said.