RESIDENTS on one Newton Farm road say three 'out-of-control' trees outside their homes are casting a literal shadow over their lives.

The three trees on Muir Close – believed to be at least 50ft tall and common lime trees – are so big that they are blocking out light, interfering with TV and satellite signals and leaving a mess both inside and outside of homes.

Sarah Ellis moved into her home there in January 2015 and says her family lives in permanent darkness.

Her 11-year-old daughter Billi also suffers at night time, terrified that spiders and other bugs will be in her bed, having been carried in on leaves through the window.

Ms Ellis said: "My daughters have to have the bigger room as there's two of them and you can see the light in their room is completely different.

"We can't open the window in there as there are bugs that come through on the leaves from the trees."

A neighbour, Brian Wallace, says he was refused an opportunity to have solar panels installed on his property as the trees would have blocked out the light.

Mr Wallace said: "I have spoken to the council but they weren't helpful at all. I did explain how they were overgrown. People cannot get TV signal or satellite.

"Their response was 'trees grow' and that's it."

The residents say they know having the trees cut down is unlikely, due to budget restraints and also possible subsidence, but they are desperately calling for the bigger branches to be cut back and maintained.

Ms Ellis, also mum to 12-year-old Helen and 14-year-old Michael, has forked out to have the branches which were hanging above her garden trimmed by a professional.

However, she says this has barely scratched the surface and she does not have permission to carry out more significant work.

"If they don't want to pay and I am prepared to pay then why can't I cut from the branches and make a difference," she said.

"It's not affecting them, it's not taking money from their pot. We would get a tree surgeon to do it so it would be done properly."

The problem is year-round, she added, with her car left covered in leaves and tree sap and the path covered in sticks in the winter months.

"We want someone to take ownership – they planted them, they need to maintain them," Ms Ellis said, adding that the next step would be to contact her MP.

In a statement, Herefordshire Council said: "The trees on Muir Close were inspected by Balfour Beatty, working in partnership with Herefordshire Council, in June – the trees were deemed to be healthy and posing no safety risk.

"Herefordshire Council’s tree policy can be found on our website where residents can also report potential issues."