RANGERS legend John Greig is embroiled in a dispute with his neighbours over a row of massive trees that separate their gardens.

Greig, 73, is at loggerheads with neighbours Dianne Paton, Anne Gavin and William Bryson over conifer trees on their property that he insists have resulted in "significant loss" of light at his home.

The Ibrox star, who claims the issue has ruined his enjoyment of his back garden in Lenzie, East Dunbartonshire, called in council planning bosses after failing to resolve the row.

He teamed up with two immediate neighbours, Norman MacDonald and Watson Brown, to appeal to councillors under High Hedge laws in a bid to have the trees that border the rear of their homes lopped.

The trio claim they only took the action after various attempts - including writing letters and making phone calls - at agreeing a compromise failed.

Mr Greig and Mr Brown succeeded in having an order granted last month but Mr MacDonald's application was rejected.

East Dunbartonshire officials ordered the trees be reduced from 5.4 metres (17.7ft) in height to 3.8 metres (12.4ft) but Ms Paton, 48, has now appealed the rulings and asked the Scottish Government to intervene.

She wrote: "The property in which I reside was built in the 1880s. All the boundary trees were put in a short time later, it was a secluded property in the middle of nowhere.

"If the trees are cut at the back I would be looking on to their back garden. The height of trees are less dense at the top with gaps and foliage.

"I encourage birds into my garden and have several bird houses near to the trees in question and bird food.

"I suspect there are nesting birds within the hedges. I would like to appeal against the cutting down of my trees to the height in question."

In his application to council bosses Mr Greig confirmed he had attempted to resolve the issues before resorting to official action.

He wrote: "Initial approach September 29, 2014, numerous telephone calls thereafter culminating in a letter dated 7 July 2015. We received no response.

"Letter dated July 7, 2015, stated we had taken advice but did not inform them of a potential application. Had they responded we would have given them information about an application if necessary but we hoped for a discussion."

He added: "The high hedge is parallel to the street and those at right angles result in a significant loss of light to my property."

Last night Mr Greig declined to comment further. Neither Ms Paton, Ms Gavin, 66, or Mr Bryson, 59, were available for comment.

It is expected a Scottish Government reporter will issue a decision at a later date.

The High Hedge (Scotland) Act, which came into force on April 1 last year, was designed to address disputes between neighbours.

Across the UK there have been thousands of rows between householders involving towering trees.

Defender Greig starred for Rangers 498 times and scored 87 goals for the club, he was also capped 44 times for Scotland.

He later served as a non-executive director on the board but left during Craig Whyte's controversial reign. He was welcomed back to the club as honorary life president when Dave King swept to power.