A furious couple have been banned from putting flower pots on their balcony after the council deemed them a fire hazard.



Julie and Derek Lee spend hundreds of pounds a year lovingly decorating the outside of their first floor flat with hanging baskets and plants.

The couple have kept their floral displays outside their home in Maryland Court, in Stapleford, Notts., for 20 years.



Now Broxtowe Borough Council have ordered the couple to remove the pots and flowers, citing health and safety reasons.

They received a letter on September 15 giving them just two days to bin their prized possessions from their two-bed leasehold flat.

Julie and husband Derek say the decision has "ripped their hearts out" after they were forced to bin their prized geraniums and fuchsias. "

Retired school catering manager Julie, 67, said: "I've just had a hip operation, and we've had to decimate our pride and joy, clearing it all up."



"We've had to take all our hanging baskets down and we've destroyed all the plants. Our bin is full of plants."



"It's our world, and it's destroyed us to do this. We've got a garden on the side, but my husband likes to make this area look nice."



"Everybody loved it but the council reckon it's a fire hazard, but I can't see how."



"They wouldn't be in the way whatsoever if we were trying to get out."



"We had hooks that hung over the balcony as well."



"We've got pictures before we decimated them, everything has had to be destroyed or given away."



"We've been here for 36 years and we've had plants for 20 years with no problems. This ban is absolutely ridiculous." "

The couple, who have four grandchildren, have written to the council, begging them to reverse the ban.



Retired train manager Derek, 71, added: "It was lovely to come home to flowers and plants and enjoy with a cup of tea but now you've ripped our hearts out. It's not the same. "

"We've spent hundreds of pounds every year on our displays. We used to love going to garden centres and picking new plants out."



"It's not even the cost that gets us, we just love it. You can't really put a price on it, it was a labour of love. "

"It's something to do for us in our old age but it's gone now. We don't want the same thing happening to someone else." "

Broxtowe Borough Council say the plant pots and hanging baskets constitute a "fire safety hazard." "

A spokesperson said: "In line with fire risk assessments that are conducted on our blocks, we have a legal responsibility to ensure that communal areas such as stairwells, landings and balconies are safe from hazards. "

"This includes bicycles, doormats, prams, pushchairs, plants, furniture etc. "

"If items are placed in communal areas or on paths that are escape routes, we will request that they are removed, as they could cause a fire safety hazard."