A FUMING pensioner says his council has let the grass in his garden become so overgrown that he can't visit his wife's memorial.

       Bert Clements, 81, from Brotton near Middlesbrough, pays ￡162 for professionals to tend his his council house garden after arthritis and back problems stopped him from doing it himself.

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       Albert Clements, 81, has been struggling with his overgrown garden Credit: Evening Gazette

       But the great-granddad, who has lived in the house for over thirty years, was devastated when the gardeners stopped showing up in March.

       The grass grew so long and thick that the frail OAP could not reach a memorial garden he built to honour his late wife Janice - or even see it from his window.

       Overgrown hedges now cover his front door, gate and windows - blocking out sunlight.

       Bert told TeessideLive: "It's closing in on me. My memorial garden is so overgrown now I can't even get to it.

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       "I used to just dig down that myself and keep it nice and tidy with flowers and that.

       "But you can't get to it now with the grass it's just that long.

       "I can hardly get through the front gate now."

       He spent months chasing the gardeners to come and cut the grass - before finally asking for a ￡60 refund.

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       But Bert said he felt "fobbed off" when Beyond Housing told him that the refund would not be possible.

       Now he has to go to his daughter Pam's house every day to be able to enjoy the summer in a garden.

       Beyond Housing said: "We apologise wholeheartedly for the delays to green space maintenance this year, which have been unacceptable.

       "We are working with contractors to ensure Mr Clements’ garden is tended to as soon as possible."

       It comes after a gardening expert revealed the right way to mow your lawn this summer.

       A range of gardening-themed condoms has been launched — to encourage OAPs to practise safe sex.

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       Mr Clements accuses gardeners of failing to come out to help for five months in a row Credit: Evening Gazette 4

       The firm Beyond Housing has apologised for 'unacceptable' gardening delays Credit: Evening Gazette 4

       The pensioner says grass is so overgrown he can't reach a memorial to his wife Credit: Evening Gazette