SHE is a hardworking mother and grandmother.

But Jane Twiss has also taken on another demanding role.

She is Fixby’s Weed Warrior, fighting a desperate fight against overgrown verges and gutters around her home.

And’s she been doing it for the past 20 years – despite repeated pleas to Kirklees Council for it to do the work in Lightridge Close.

Mrs Twiss, 59, said: “We have lived here for 33 years and for the past 20 I cannot remember seeing any council workmen doing this job.

“I’m so ashamed of how bad it gets that I don’t like to bring people to the house.

“Over the years I have become so embarrassed by the state of the pavement and grass verges outside our house and those of our neighbours that I have taken to performing the council’s job and have weeded and trimmed.

“I have done not only the areas outside my house but those of our neighbours.

“If it were not so damned serious it would be humorous.

“Fuelled by successive council tax increase and ever-growing grass and weeds my patience and my knees are in danger of expiring.

“I have had enough of doing the council’s work for them. Winter is so welcome for I shall have a respite from my labours.”

Mrs Twiss has raised the issue with councillors and council officials, but says little or nothing has been done.

Kirklees workmen did tidy up the junction of Lightridge Close and Cowcliffe Hill Road some months ago, but laid only a few metres of tarmacadam and never touched the pavements.

Mrs Twiss said: “The pavements are dangerous and the grass verges barely recognisable – or they would be if I did not weed and cut the grass frequently.”

Local councillor Ken Smith said he would make sure the road was on the council’s regular schedule.

He added: “We get complaints about weeds from all over, but Kirklees has, like other councils, started using a less powerful herbicide on the weeds which is not as effective in clearing pavements.

“The verges should be trimmed regularly and I will make sure Lightridge Close is on the schedule.”