I live in Second Avenue, Hove, backing on to First Avenue. My home is a ground-floor flat, where I have lived for more than five years.

I am very fortunate to have a large patio, where I try to grown plants and shrubs, which give much pleasure to me and my upper-floor neighbours who look down on it.

One thing that overshadows their pleasure is neighbours' trees, growing out of control and creating an umbrella effect over my and others' gardens.

The lack of sunshine because of these trees makes it difficult for my plants to find the sun.

When I approached the environmental department at Hove Town Hall about this, I was told there is a preservation order on these sycamore trees.

Surely this does not prevent landlords and house-owners from pruning them from time to time?

The understanding owner of the house opposite my garden decided the largest of his trees was a problem and had it pruned right back, which has made such a difference.

So come on, landlords, how about tidying up your trees and letting other people enjoy what little sun we have in this country?

Perhaps the council should look into this matter in more depth.

-G Roberts, Second Avenue, Hove