An elderly Cardigan couple living in a council property claim their lives are being made a misery by a large cherry tree in the front garden, and the county council says it does not have funds to help the tenants.

Over the past two years John and Eluned Pearce of 41 Bro Teifi have made numerous requests to Ceredigion County Council to take action, but are no further forward.

The tree has cut off the couple's light, and branches are pressing on to the roof of the bungalow.

Even at midday they are often unable to read without switching on the light, and experience difficulty avoiding branches when stepping out of their car.

Passers-by have had umbrellas caught in low branches, others have slipped and fallen on wet leaves, while next-door neighbour 78-year-old Gwyn Morgan has to clear large amounts of leaves from his front lawn.

Exasperated 71-year-old John Pearce said: "The tree is dominating our every day existence, and whoever said that life was like a bowl of cherries should come and live here.

"The county council is responsible for the tree and to say there are no funds available is just not on," he said.

Local member Cllr Mark Cole said he had made representations to the parks and gardens department on the couple's behalf, and was awaiting a reply.

"What the council is saying basically is that they do not have funds to cut back the tree.

"But surely they could have seen to this over the past two years, and I have every sympathy with Mr and Mrs Pearce and other residents," he said.

A spokeswoman for the department said Ian Dutch, presently on leave, was dealing with the matter, and there was no one else who could comment.