A homeowner has spoken of his shock after discovering that builders have removed four fence panels from his back garden while extending his neighbour’s house.

Brendan Salisbury, of Offley Road in Hitchin, realised what had happened last week when he went down to his vegetable patch.

Speaking to the Comet, Mr Salisbury said: “My neighbour at the bottom of my garden has had planning permission granted for a extension. To my amazement the builders removed four of my garden fences and posts, leaving one fence in my garden, the other fences and posts are gone and I have no idea what they have done with them.

“I was in shock when I saw what they had done. The builders have never contacted me to ask for permission. This is criminal damage and trespass. The bottom of my garden is now exposed and I have grandchildren that like to play there so this is now a safety risk because there is a drop of 4ft onto the side my neighbour’s house.”

The 65-year-old, who has lived at the property for the past 22 years, contacted the company, Beckam Installations Ltd, based in Hitchin, to ask for an explanation and said he has come to an agreement that the fences will be replaced with their concrete posts.

“I feel that this incident needs to be highlighted because builders should consider neighbours when they are working on neighbouring properties.”

Beckam Installations was unavailable for a comment at the time of going to press.