A council house tenant says her family is facing eviction in a row regarding overhanging trees posing a threat to pedestrians and motorists.

Sharon Waite says she is not getting the help she needs as the family cannot afford to carry out the work after Kent County Council issued a summons on her landlords, East Kent Housing.

The council issued a notice explaining the trees posed a threat to pedestrians’ safety as they are blocking a streetlight and come right over the pavement, at the corner of Wood Avenue and Canterbury Road.

Mrs Waite says she has received quotes saying it will cost £1,500 and argues as the trees are causing a highways issue that the authority should do the work.

She claims the demands are unfair when she has offered to pay in installments for the work to be done and does what work she can to prune the trees back.

She said: “We try what we can reach. They expect my husband to do it and he’s disabled and partially paralysed down one side.

“The council say it’s because we planted them. I try to prune back from a step ladder but it would cost £1,500 each tree to remove and we can’t afford that.”

But Mrs Waite says the trees are much older than the 18 years the family has lived there for and so does not believe they should now be responsible.

She blasted the way the council sent the notice summoning the family to have the work carried out or face being taken to court.

“They didn’t even knock on the door, it was just put through,” Mrs Waite added.

“We’re facing eviction, not officially but verbally, because I’m effectively breaking my tenancy agreement.

“My argument with them is that I’ve not got that sort of money.

“I’ve taken six tonne bags of branches down as and when I can get up there.”

Katy Lane, housing services manager for East Kent Housing said: “Trees and shrubs are tenant responsibility and must be maintained as part of the tenancy agreement.

“The neighbourhood manager has been supporting the family by providing contact details for local charities which may be able to help in this situation.

“East Kent Housing will continue to work with the family and can look at other options if the garden is becoming too difficult to maintain.”