A Bradford mum fears her children could be badly hurt after council workmen took down her garden fence.

Susannah Bruce claims she has been waiting nearly two years for a new one round the front of her council house in Fagley.

And the mother of three has consulted a solicitor to try to get Bradford Council to put back the fence, removed by workmen in April 1997 when the house was modernised.

"I was told the contractors took it down for the skips and to put the scaffolding up," she said.

"Every time I phone the Council I'm given the run-around so I ended up getting a solicitor involved.

"After three letters the Council said I could have my fencing if and when money was allocated.

"My children are one, eight and 12 and I've been trying ever since to get some more fencing because the front garden is on a busy road.

"I'm just worried about them going out and getting knocked down or being bitten by a dog because they are always in the garden and some of the pets are quite vicious.

"It's been a big problem, especially in dry weather. They have to go to friends' gardens to play.''

A spokesman for the Council's Shipley North area housing office said: "We have not yet determined which local housing schemes will go ahead in this financial year so we cannot say when new fencing will be erected.

"Once resources are agreed, we will arrange meetings with Shipley North Area Federation of Tenants and Residents Groups to see which schemes they feel should take priority.

"Miss Bruce would be able to put forward her suggestions at this stage.

"On a wider scale, the Council is also looking at developing a new strategy for the whole Newlands area which would increase tenants' consultation in future housing projects."

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