An elderly couple has said that they are 'completely disheartened' after having to dismantle a fence that has stood at the entrance to their garden for four years.

Margaret Rose Hale, 72, from Bullbrook Drive moved into the property in 2009 where she and her husband soon became part of the community.

However, over the last few months, the pair have been threatened with a £1,000 fine, having received a letter from Bracknell Forest Council.

As a result, the elderly couple has been forced to remove the one-metre structure which was built to protect their front garden from passing dogs and other animals.

Bracknell News: Bullbrook Road

Margaret expressed her frustration at Bracknell Forest Council who she claims ‘hassled’ them with the ‘ridiculous request' due to a lack of planning permission.

She said: “We put the fence up four years ago and it’s never been a problem for anyone in the area.

"We’re a good neighbourhood and everyone looks out for each other so for someone to have complained about the fence doesn’t make sense.

“Over the years we have kept the place clean and tidy, and we have created a lovely home for ourselves.

“We don’t have any enemies here so for someone to make a complaint about a one-metre fence is absolute bulls***”."

The resident said she asked permission from an employee from the previous management company when moving in to erect the fence and was told it was fine. Adding the request and threat of a £1,000 fine was a 'shock'.

Bracknell News:

Upon looking at her housing contract where there wasn’t any stipulation surrounding the construction of a fence, the Bracknell resident was told that she had an old contract that needed updating.

After speaking with the council spokesman who visited the property, her compromise to move the fence back or to build a lower fence was denied.

The resident has been in communication with Silva Homes who now manages the property on behalf of the council.

On behalf of Silva Homes, lead customer relations partner Tom Mason said:  “Silva Homes received a request from the council for a fence to be removed as it was put up without permission by the customer on the land to the front of their rented property.

“The customer received the same letter and has since taken the fence down. We’re working closely with our customer to request the correct permission to rectify this.”

Bracknell Forest Council has been contacted for a comment.