AS summer draws to a close, Cheshire West and Chester Council is planning hedge maintenance works to keep the borough neat, while also protecting wildlife.

Hedge cutting starts from the beginning of September and continues to the end of October, with over 73,000 metres of hedge being cut on council-owned land.

No hedge cutting takes place between March 1 and August 31, except where it is necessary to ensure public safety.

Not all cutting is undertaken by the council – most hedge cutting along the highway is done by the adjacent land owner, often farmers.

n For more information about trees, woods and hedges on private land, you can visit the trees, woods and hedges page on the CWAC website.