A councillor became so frustrated over a “dangerous” overhanging branch on a tree that he threatened to chop it down himself with shears from his garden.

Watford Liberal Democrat cllr Stephen Bolton was fed up of seeing leaves from the tree - which is believed to be a sycamore – sprawling across the pavement next to The Premier Inn, in Water Lane, Watford.

He was concerned that blind or partially-sighted people could be “at risk” of being pushed into the path of oncoming traffic in the busy road or hit in the face by the branch.

After a lack of response from Whitbread, a hotel company which owns Premier Inn, he warned he would cut the branch himself.

Cllr Bolton said: “It is easy to just cut it down but for some reason nothing is being done about it.

“It is dangerous as it is draping over the pathway and people who are blind or partially sighted could be pushed onto the road or hit in the face.

“I have got in touch with the headquarters of Premier Inn, but if there is no response within 24 hours, I will trim it down myself.”

However, after The Observer got in touch with Whitbread, a spokesperson confirmed the tree will be scaled back later today due to the issue “escalating”.

They said: “We can confirm the tree will be scaled back today.

“We had listened to and fully understood the feedback and the tree was already on a list of works scheduled to take place but the issue has now been escalated.

“We thank the councillor for getting in touch.”