A battle over weeds has broken out in Wantage and Grove.

The Chamber of Commerce pays for weed removal in the Market Place and some residents in Grove are complaining about grass and shrubs invading paths now that the county council's weed eradication budget has been cut.

Paths in Mayfield Avenue and Denchworth Road in Grove have become infested and county councillor Zoe Patrick wants the budget for removing weeds reinstated before more damage is done, creating costly repairs in the future. Oxfordshire County Council's Cabinet member for transport implementation, Ian Hudspeth, said for the current year a decision was taken not to fund a programme of weed spraying due to budget pressures. However, £32,000 had been set aside for the removal of growth such as Ragwort and Japanese knotweed.

A call for the county council to restore its weed clearance budget is due for discussion at the council's next meeting in November.