Leading by example, 125 mayors and provosts will today be trimming local hedges in a bid to help guide dog owners and blind and partially sighted people.

Nearly one in three local authorities throughout the United Kingdom is supporting the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association's appeal to homeowners to cut their hedges. The campaign follows a survey by the charity that revealed 95 per cent of blind and partially sighted guide dog owners cite overhanging vegetation as the greatest hazard they face.

Forum Response: Guide Dogs for the Blind Association

Geraldine Peacock, Guide Dogs' chief executive, told ePolitix.com: "Overgrown hedges can be a particular problem to guide dog owners, so we're delighted that so many mayors, provosts and local authorities are supporting this important campaign.

"Branches might be high enough to avoid obstructing the dog, but could quite easily scrape the visually impaired owner's arm, neck or face, potentially causing serious injury."