FIFE COUNCIL yesterday ordered a major clean-up operation at a Methil garden branded a “hazardous eyesore” after the owner refused to do it himself.

This is the second time in the last five years that the local authority has stepped in to remove rubbish from Jim Levack’s property on Methilhaven Road.

More than two skip-loads containing overgrown trees, shrubbery, grass, rubble and items such as old fridges, doors and windows were driven away.

Two scrapped cars were also removed.

All that has been left behind is a boarded-up caravan, which the local authority say they cannot remove due to “complicated legal restraints.”

Fife Council’s Buckhaven locality manager, Ken Halley, said that the local authority took action after a number of complaints.

“We were able to step in under the new Powers of Wellbeing,” he said.

“The owner of the property was given a deadline to tidy his garden himself but failed to comply.”

But Mr Levack, who now faces a £3000 bill he cannot afford to pay for the clean-up operation, claimed he was being “victimised” by the council.

“I have lived here for more than 55 years and I feel that it is up to me to decide what I am allowed to keep in my own property.

“I admit there was too much in my garden but I was going to get around to cleaning it up in my own time and feel the council should have respected that.

“My property is constantly being targeted by yobs and vandals who smash my windows.

“I am angry because they have taken away useful things such as windows I had bought which I was going to put in to replace the broken ones, garden tools that I was going to use to clean up the garden and slabs I intended to lay to make the place look nice.

“They have also taken away my rubbish bins so where am I supposed to put my rubbish now?

Mr Halley refuted the allegation that Mr Levack’s bins had been taken away.

“Everything we have taken away are items which have been deemed a health and safety hazard.”

A near neighbour said it was “about time” Mr Levack’s garden was cleaned up, adding, “It’s a hazardous eyesore…I would however like to see the caravan go because it is blocking a public thoroughfare.”