A FAMILY who battled their neighbours for more than 35 years over a high hedge have finally been defeated.

Audrey Alexander's dispute with her neighbour over the giant hedge started 23 years ago, making it possibly the longest row of its kind in Scotland.

But the battle kicked off 35 years ago when Ms Alexander's aunt, the previous owner, planted a vegetable garden which withered and died in the shade of the neighbour's massive hedge.

Ms Alexander, 54, used the recent High Hedge Act to try to get the leylandii at the bottom of her garden in Balfron, Stirlingshire, chopped back to 6ft.

But Stirling Council has ruled that her rival, Jeanette Robinson, is allowed to keep the hedge, currently about 40ft high, at 20ft.

Ms Alexander branded the decision "disgraceful" and said she felt "let down" by the government and council.

"The law was brought in to protect people, but it's not doing that," she said. "The whole situation is appalling - the legislation is about giving people the right to sunlight, but it's not happening in this case.

"It's a disgrace and I feel extremely let down."

The neighbour declined to comment.

A spokesman for the council said the decision was made "after carrying out a site inspection and considering all the evidence submitted by parties involved in this case".