Complaints were made at a Joint Borough and Parish Council meeting that green services are falling below par as weeds take over footpaths.

Whalton member Sue Richardson said: "I was told that workers aren't going to start spraying the weeds until they seed, but some of the villages will be in a hell of a state before that happens.

"It is probably because then they only have to spray them once. Is this what we have to look forward to when we go to a unitary authority?

"I think this work should be starting earlier and we definitely need two sprays."

Castle Morpeth Council Leader Peter Jackson said responsibility for the service was likely to lie with the County authority, but he defended the policy, saying it may be due to new regulations.

"You can blame the Environment Agency for the weeds because it has banned most weed-killers," he said.

"The problem with spraying them early is that you miss the thresh of weeds. We will possible have to wait a week or two for the weeds to germinate and then they will get sprayed."

Coun Richardson also raised concerns about falling grass cutting standards and East Chevington member Paul Claridge agreed.

"I live about 100 yards from the boundary of two districts where Castle Morpeth meets Alnwick District and Alnwick shows us up for grass cutting year on year. It is very noticeable. It keeps its grass like a bowling green," he said.

Castle Morpeth Council Chief Executive Ken Dunbar said he was not aware of any issues with the service, but suggested poor weather may be behind the problems.

"I am sure members will be aware that we have had some extraordinary weather and that may be what created problems for machinery getting on wet ground," he said.

"I didn't think there was any variation to the schedule and believe everything is going to plan, but if there are areas that are not being cut at the same rate I will follow it up."