A man has been sentenced to four months in prison for having an untidy garden.

Graham Ellison, 44, from Derby, had ignored complaints from neighbours about his garden for years.

Even when subject to court orders Mr Ellison had refused to move the large amounts of wood and bricks.

Now the city council has undertaken to clear the area up itself and send him the bill.

Graham Ellison did not appear in court

Mr Ellison, who runs a wheelbarrow making business, did not attend court to hear the sentence.

Speaking earlier, he said: "I do not interfere with the way other people choose to live and I don't see why they should interfere with how I live."

But those living nearby insisted they had been as patient as they could be.

Neighbour Debbie Poulter said: "At the end of the day all I wanted him do was tidy up the front garden and cut his hedge and it wouldn't have come to this."

A judge gave Mr Ellison the sentence in his absence and ordered him to pay costs.The council is now expected to clear up the garden and bill Mr Ellison.