An elderly horticulturalist is in a standoff with her parish council after defying a request to cut back plants outside her home following health and safety fears.

       Becky Curtis, 84, regularly gets admiring comments from neighbours and passers-by impressed by the shrubbery in the front garden of her Grade II listed property in Dedham, Essex.

       But plentiful rain in recent weeks has led to the foliage spilling over her 30 inch high wall and onto the pavement a little more than has been the case in previous years.

       Green-fingered Mrs Curtis who was born in her 18th century home insisted that there was still a 3ft gap which was clear of any obstruction, enabling people to walk past without any problem.

       But Dedham parish council has ruled that her outsize balotta, acanthus and choisya plants are a potential danger and need to be urgently cut back to clear the footpath in front of her south-facing garden.

       Mrs Curtis was shocked to receive a letter from the council clerk telling her that “various complaints” had been received about vegetation “encroaching onto the pavement”.

       The letter tersely requested: “Please can you cut back the overhanging vegetation so as not to obstruct the pavement for pedestrians. Thank you for your cooperation with this.”

       Mrs Curtis, a long standing member of the Dedham Horticultural Society, is resisting the demand with the support of many villagers.

       She fears that any large scale pruning will deprive local bumble bees of their annual feast on the pink flowers of her two giant ballotta plants when they bloom later in the summer.

       Mrs Curtis said: “I was quite taken aback to receive the letter saying the council had received complaints. They didn’t say how many complaints. I guess it might only have been one person.

       “People always stop and ask me about the garden, and want to know the names of the plants. Most people seem to think it is very nice.”

       Carol Harbach, the Dedham parish council clerk, insisted that the council was entitled to take action over pavement blockages in some cases, but was unable to comment on what enforcement action could be taken.

       The council said in a statement: “We have received a number of complaints by other residents and we don’t ask people unless it is a health and safety matter. We are obliged as a council to undertake these requests to cut back vegetation when it is overgrown.

       “It is something which is obstructing the footpath and we have an obligation to deal with hedges and keep the footpath safe.”

       Colin Biggins, the chairman of the Dedham Horticultural Society, said: “Becky is a great garden lover and conservationist who is one of our long standing members.

       “I can see both sides of the argument, but we are terribly risk averse these days and I think the council is being over the top.”