NEW laws that will give monster hedges the chop have been welcomed by MP David Chaytor.

He says that sending in the chainsaws to tackle outsized species like Leylandii is the sensible and long-awaited solution.

The proposed laws will give councils powers to cut hedges down to size if neighbours cannot settle their differences.

"Many frustrated constituents have raised this problem with me over the last three years," said the MP for Bury North.

"Obviously, disputes are always best settled amicably. But Leylandii have been the subject of numerous court battles nationwide, where relations between neighbours have irretrievably broken down. It's right that councils should be able to cut down nuisance hedges if their owners simply won't co-operate or see reason."

Mr Chaytor said that Leylandii, which have only been around since the 1960s, grow by up to three feet a year and one in Kent is already 150 feet tall.

"Never in gardening history has one single plant caused so much trouble," he said.