Locals in Holme, near Hunstanton, say a parish councillor has been using herbicides around trees on Park Piece, an area of land owned by Holme Parish Council.

Retired teacher David Esterson said he saw Robert Burton spraying in the park whilst he was out with his wife Sandy walking their dogs.

He said areas around trees in the park appeared to have been sprayed to prevent weeds from growing around them and he had taken photographs and sent them to the council.

Park Piece at Holme, near Hunstanton (Image: Chris Bishop)

SPRAYING STOPPED AFTER COMPLAINT

Mr Esterson complained to the council in an e-mail, saying when he asked Mr Burton what he was spraying, he replied it was glyphosate.

"I asked him why he was doing it and told him glyphosate is poisonous, that it is dangerous to humans and animals and he had no right to spray it in a public place," he said.

"He continued to spray even though I was in close proximity to him. It was a windy day and I pointed out he was spraying me. He did not stop spraying.

"Then I asked him who had given him permission to spray a toxin in a public place. He refused to answer, stopped spraying and walked back to his car."

Mr Esterson said signs should have been put up to warn people using the park if weedkiller was being used on it.

David Esterson points out an area along a newly-planted hedgerow he says has been sprayed with herbicide (Image: Chris Bishop)

Parish clerk Dave Watkins replied, saying no parish councillor had........

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