'SCROOGE' housing chiefs ordered a couple to rip down their Christmas lights over health and safety rules.
Ron and Maria Welsh put up 35 sets of lights in their front garden, looping them around bushes growing on the other side of their fence.
4
Ron and Maria received the housing association's order on Monday Credit: Supplied
But housing firm Clarion said the multi-coloured illuminations breached health and safety because they are in a 'communal area'.
Ron, 72, told The Sun: “The housing association need to get a grip, how can Christmas lights be a health and safety concern?
“For all the things that Clarion could do, they’ve got to moan about a little thing.
“Absolutely it’s health and safety gone mad, this is a clear example of the housing association acting like Scrooge.
“I’ve lived here for going on 14 years now and my rent is paid every month on time.
“I decorate the place, do maintenance and I’ve done the fencing.
Most read in News
GRANDAD SUICIDE Star's grandad took his own life after sending card to daughter in prison
VACC TO THE FUTURE Vaccine passports WILL be needed for clubs and stadiums tomorrow
XMAS GRINCH I spent ￡85 on a 'Grinch visit' - he trashed my house & poured JUICE on my son
JANUARY BLUES Pubs, shops and restaurants could be forced to shut in January due to Omicron
“I even used to cut the grass, but they told me I mustn’t as I’m not insured to do that."
The couple, from Beare Green, Surrey switch the lights on from 4pm to 11pm.
They are a big hit with local families who take children down to see them.
Maria mentioned the health and safety order to stunned neighbours - and the whole estate complained.
The housing Association received a flood of furious emails and after 24hours backed down.
Ron and Maria say the whole village backed them over the lights, which have been a feature of the couple's garden for several years.
Maria, 58, said: "Everyone was furious, so I imagine they took one look at their inbox and decided it was best to change their mind.
"It's a relief they have backed down, but frankly they've should not have asked them to remove them in the first place.
"The lights are over our bushes so they are not on any grass in any area where they can be grasped.
“I had several comments from different people, saying whatever you do don’t take them down, we are behind you all the way.
"These lights are no threat to anybody at all, they are LED and only 12volts."
Furious neighbours offered messages of support to the couple.
Sally Bowler said: "What is wrong with these people?
"Please don’t take them down they are a credit to you and makes the village certainly more festive and that’s what we all need after the past two years."
Tracey Holmes said: “They are always lovely and you’re a credit to the community."
Olivia Garrett added: "So if they asking you. Why don’t they ask the people in the tower blocks to remove their's and everyone else that has lights up.
"What is this world coming to when you can’t spread a bit of cheer to everyone."
A Clarion spokesman said: "Following concerns raised to us about Christmas lights in an outside communal area, we visited to assess the situation and requested that the lights in just the bushes Clarion is responsible for maintaining be removed.
“In response to the feedback from a number of residents about this decision, we have now agreed the lights can stay temporarily for the festive period.”
4
The illuminations are very popular in Beare Green, Surrey Credit: Supplied 4
Ron and Maria's extravagant Christmas illuminations use 35 sets of lights Credit: Facebook 4
Clarion housing association backed down after the whole estate complained Credit: Facebook
Town’s Christmas tree slammed as only the bottom half is decorated – because it’s ‘too DANGEROUS’ to light up the top