ELDERLY and disabled residents in Dumbarton and the Vale are celebrating after the council restored its free garden maintenance services. At Wednesday's full council meeting, it was agreed to remove charges for the Care of Garden Scheme two-and-a-half years after they were first introduced.

The move has been part-funded by the deletion of the Corporate Cultural Sub-Committee which had an allocated budget of �72,000 a year.

West Dunbartonshire Council has already collected the Care of Garden charges for the 2012/13 financial year and is now in the process of agreeing how this will be refunded to residents in the coming months.

Councillor David McBride, convener of the Housing, Environmental and Economic Development, said: "I'm delighted that this Council will once again be offering our elderly and most vulnerable residents a free service to maintain their gardens.

"Times are tough for all our residents but particularly those pensioners and disabled people who are on a fixed income, and I know from speaking to many residents that they found the annual payment for this service a challenge."

Pensioners and infirm and disabled householders are now invited to apply for the service and if successful will be able to have their grass and hedge cut for free.

Individuals won't be considered for the scheme if there is a relative in the house or living nearby who could be expected to tend the garden.

If you are not a pensioner then a doctor, registered home help, health visitor, or professional person must verify that you are permanently physically unable to attend your garden, due to illness or handicap.

Anyone wishing to apply should contact Greenlight on 01389 721012.