One or two pieces of white fluff dropping from a tree are usually a happy reminder that summer has arrived.

However for one Northfleet couple, the amount of White Poplar that drops into their garden and enters through their windows and door, for around two weeks around the start of June, is causing havoc.

Mick and Sandra Madell, 75 and 71, of Grange Way Close, are angry with Kent County Council (KCC) for failing to cut the tree, which is around two and half times bigger than their property, after complaining to them about the issue they have every year.

KCC said that there is no need for them to cut the tree as it is in good health and Mr and Mrs Mandell are allowed to cut back the tree’s branches which are in their property boundary.

Mrs Madell, a retired florist, said: “We are just getting to the stage after many years where we have had enough.

“We can’t open windows, we can’t open doors. It’s a nuisance and KCC doesn’t want to know.

“We have had KCC come and inspect it but they won’t do anything about it.

"We have left the White Poplar because it is sticky and unmanageable.

"It's covering all my plants and hanging basket which I spent a lot of money on.

"The branches are not over hanging in our premiss.

"The tree is to big for the area.

“I just want someone to give us some support over it.”

KCC spokesman, Thom Morris, said: “KCC undertakes routine highway tree safety audits of all its trees throughout the county.

“The last inspection of the tree adjacent to this property found it was in a good structural condition with no signs of ill health or major defects.

“We were contacted in May concerning the height of the tree and an inspection found the tree was still in a good structural condition with no signs of ill health or major defects, though the tree had deadwood with the crown and work on this due to take place next month.

“There is no requirement in law to reduce the height of a tree or prevent trees spreading over a boundary.

“However, a person has the right to cut back branches to their boundary.”