Council orders pensioners to take down fence it put up

A council has ordered an elderly couple to tear down a fence it put up itself.

Pensioners Margaret and Douglas Aveyard were told the 6ft barrier needed planning permission and that they faced court if it was not dismantled.

Margaret, 78, said: "It's absolutely ludicrous. We're sick with worry."

The fence was put up by Harrow Council in Middlesex to replace a hedge workers destroyed when laying a pavement 18 months ago. It said the situation "would be resolved".