A B&B owner fed up of the “disgusting” state of the council land near her Marlow business took matters into her own hands this week.

Frustrated Heron's Place resident Yvonne Gordon said she is “embarrassed” by the condition of the area after becoming the tired of waiting for the county council to cut back lawns and trees.

With Buckinghamshire County Council cutting its budget two years ago, urban areas are now only cut six times a year rather than 12.

But Wycombe District Council areas – often very close by - still receive the full compliment of 12.

And with the first round of county council maintenance visits yet to reach Marlow, Ms Gordon forked out for a gardener to give the BCC land a once over.

She said: “I am trying to run a business and out there it looks disgusting. I spend a lot of time promoting the lovely town of Marlow but I’m embarrassed to show it to visitors.

“It’s a lovely estate but some areas look terrible. What you find is the furthest side of the road has been cut and this side it hasn’t.

“It looks ridiculous to visitors. It’s like the lunatics are running the asylum.

“There’s no way it’s going to happen anytime soon so I’m going to pay for it myself so it doesn’t put people off, it’s worth it for me.”

Ms Gordon said she paid the worker £60 to mow the land outside her property.

Last year, Marlow’s mayor Suzanne Brown complained at the quality of the maintenance of public areas ahead of judging for the Chilterns in Bloom competition.

Transport for Buckinghamshire, which oversees maintenance, said 30 million square metres of grass including verges in residential areas, rural roads and at road junctions will be trimmed this season.

For the first time this year, individual parishes have taken control of their own cutting operation after taking advantage of devolution cash on offer from the county council.

So far 23 parishes across Buckinghamshire have signed up, and 26 more have committed to the scheme.

But Marlow Town Council declined the offer, instead keeping control of a small number of sites including the Causeway under an existing council deal.

TfB says its teams will be in Marlow next week, with Heron’s Place and nearby Spring Gardens tackled before the May 11 deadline.

However, bosses have warned against residents deciding to take care of the greens and verges themselves.

Spokesman Richard Wells said: “We're aware that some people like to cut the grass near their home. Residents should be aware of the possible risk from traffic, and of injury to themselves and passing pedestrians.”