A FURIOUS woman emptied five bags of brambles on to the floor of Medway Council's offices in a drastic attempt to get her pleas heard.

Lorraine Millest dumped the cut branches, leaves and thorns in the reception area of Gillingham's Municpal Buildings in a dramatic protest against the council's delay in clearing an alley behind her house.

She had previously complained that overgrown brambles were blocking her disabled husband's way when he tried to get out on his mobile scooter.

She took the action when Medway Council failed to trim the trees and shrubs despite weeks of pleading and said that one official's dismissal of the problem as "not life threatening'' was the last straw.

Mrs Millest, 41, of Parr Avenue, Gillingham, said: "I don't care if I get arrested for this. That alley is the only access out for my husband and he has been cut trying to get through the brambles.''

Her husband Mark, 43, has myatonic dystrophy, a rare form of muscular dystrophy. It means he always needs a walking stick and a stairlift and cannot use the steps at the front of the house.

His only way out of his home is along the alleyway.

Recently, when he tried to struggle through the tangle of barbed vegetation he was cut below the right eye. The wound became infected and he needed antibiotics.

He said: "Before, when I have tried to get through, my arms have been scratched. It is dangerous and we have this problem every year.''

Mrs Millest said: "I had to ring the council at least eight times over the last month.

"On the last occasion the man I spoke to I felt was being rude. He said it wasn't a life threatening matter and it would be done by June 27. That meant we would have to wait up to three more weeks.''

Mrs Millest walked into Municipal Buildings on Wednesday with the brambles and demanded to speak to that particular official.

When he failed to come down and see her, she tipped the cuttings into a pile in the reception's public waiting area and marched out.

A Medway Council spokesperson said: "We are sorry to hear of Mrs Millest's concerns and will be investigating the matter to see how we are able to help the couple.''

'I don't care if I get arrested That alley is the only access out for my husband and he has been cut trying to get through' Lorraine Millest