A retired magistrate annoyed by untreated weeds flourishing in his street has cut them down and sent the bill for his work to the authorities.

Graham Smith, of Walnut Grove in Banstead, said he decided to reach for the garden shears after spending nearly three years trying to get Reigate and Banstead Council (RBC) and Surrey County Council (SCC) to take responsibility for cutting the weeds, which are growing between the road and the pavement.

The 73-year-old said "each council is trying to hide behind the other" - with RBC saying it is responsible for the upkeep of pavements but not roads, and SCC saying it maintains roads and not pavements.

The ex-Sutton magistrate cleared the road of the weeds on Wednesday morning - and said he will be sending the bill to the councils.

But the council responsible, RBC, said he will not be paid for his efforts as it already confirmed the weeds would be removed.

Mr Smith said: "The councils are very keen to collect rates, but don’t seem to know we even exist.

"I wrote letters to both councils about two weeks’ ago giving them two weeks to do something about the weeds. 

"Now I will clear them away myself and send them the bill. 

"If they want, they can sue me.

"I am doing the job of the councils for them.  They are just being idle."

An SCC spokeswoman said: "There has been some confusion on Mr Smith’s part.

"The pavement is regarded as part of the highway which is our responsibility, but it just so happens that we have contracts with borough councils for them to look after grass cuttings and dealing with weeds. 

"It is the responsibility of RBC."

An RBC spokeswoman said it had already written to Mr Smith outlining its proposed action, which has been hampered by rain.

She said: "It is not possible to spray the area when it is wet or within four hours of rain, due to the type of glyphosate weed killer our contractor uses.

"We have confirmed the weeds will be treated. 

"The council will not refund any expenses incurred by Mr Smith as his road will receive the same treatment as every other road in the borough, albeit delayed by the weather."