Leicestershire woman halts council hedge cutting to save birds

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A woman from Leicestershire has halted work to cut back a hedge where birds are living because its still nesting season. Kaye Gillanders told the contractors, who were about to cut a hedge between her home and a neighbouring school in Ashby, to stop, in case they damaged baby birds. The RSPB says nesting lasts between February and August and although it is illegal to cut hedgerows private hedges do not come under that law. Leicestershire County Council says the operatives should assess the hedge for nesting birds and postpone work if any are discovered - which is what happened in this case - once the neighbour made them aware. The council said it would remind contractors of the procedures Kaye Gillanders explains to Jo Hollis what happened.