Arrest after hedge row death

The row started over the clipping of a hedge in Louth

A man has collapsed and died after a row with a neighbour over the trimming of a hedge.

The 74-year-old was said to have been involved in a dispute after pruning bushes in Louth, Lincolnshire, on Saturday afternoon.

He was taken to Louth County Hospital but died shortly after 1400 BST, Lincolnshire Police said.

A post-mortem examination showed the man died from a heart condition.

'Strong emotion'

A police spokesman said a 63-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and later released on bail.

He will reappear before officers in Louth in a few weeks' time when police inquiries are complete, the spokesman said.

Officers investigating the incident are still trying to determine whether the altercation directly contributed to the man's death.

Disputes can affect people's health, cause stresses and all kinds of tension

Michael Jones
Hedgeline

One neighbour, who asked not to be named, said: "We just heard he was cutting someone's hedge at the bottom of the street when an argument started.

"The news spread like wildfire up the road."

Michael Jones, the honorary life president of action group Hedgeline, said hedges could prompt strong emotions in householders.

"Passions are aroused with this sort of thing.

"Disputes can affect people's health, cause stresses and all kinds of tension."

"It can be triggered off by having a hedge just a fraction of an inch over the boundary or even a fencepost the wrong way round."