AN OAP has come under fire after he hacked away at his neighbours' hedges without permission – then thanked himself in the local paper.
Keith Haines, 89, says he took matters into his own hands and cut the greenery right back as other Berks locals "hadn't bothered".
But he's now divided opinion on the Newbury street.
The people whose hedges were cut back are now fuming, while others have thanked Keith for clearing the path.
And the 89-year-old was so proud of his handy work that he even publicly thanked himself.
Writing to the Newbury Weekly News, he said: "I would like to thank me for bringing the footway to its original width as the tenants haven't bothered to keep the hedge cut.
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"I informed the council of my intentions but they didn't stop me from doing it, so I went ahead with it.
"Everyone who passed me congratulated me. What a difference I have made."
But local Mandy Allen said she'd seen Keith destroying her hedge and asked what he was doing.
She said: "It's an absolute mess. He's gone back to the original fence.
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''I have been in my house for 23 years and I have never ever seen the original fence. He's not just cut it, he's absolutely hacked it."
Another resident, Fran Robins, had similar concerns.
She said not only had she now lost part of her greenery, but her privacy, too.
Fran said: "I make my own arrangements when my hedge needs cutting.
"He has actually hacked it to pieces, not content with just mine, he decided to tackle others hedges that face onto Western Avenue even after being asked to stop.
"The hedge now is letting in more road noise from traffic and taken away my privacy. l have been in my house 57 years and never had an issue."
He's not just cut it, he's absolutely hacked it.
Photos of the hedges show little greenery left, and just bare brown sticks.
Lush hedge towers above, where Keith didn't trim.
But, some residents were pleased with the 89-year-old's efforts – including one blind woman.
She said: "I am a totally blind resident in Shaw and walk my guide dog every day.
"I am often stung by stinging nettles, scratched by brambles and hit in the face by branches and shrubs that are overhanging the footpaths.
"Fortunately, there is a resident who lives nearby called Keith.
"He is 89 years old and as well as caring for his wife, he is out every day cutting back foliage, clearing blocked drains, picking up litter and sweeping the subways to keep them free of slippery mud, litter and broken glass.
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"I think this wonderful man deserves some recognition for all his hard work as a volunteer."
West Berkshire Council said: "The hedges are all on private property and do not fall to the council to maintain."
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