KIND-HEARTED pensioner John Russell faces eviction from his flat for lowering buckets of water down to thirsty birds.o

Mr Russell has landed himself in bucket loads of trouble with Wycombe District Council for this breach of his tenancy agreement.

But Mr Russell, 72, of Rutland Street, High Wycombe, believes the council reaction is beyond the pail, and has called for commonsense to prevail.

He said: "All I am doing is helping the birds and wildlife here that would be suffering during the winter months. The lady who lived here before me started it off, and I can't see the problem with what I am doing. Who is it harming at the end of the day?

"This is bureaucracy gone mad. Where's all the commonsense gone in this world?"

Mr Russell held a meeting with Kevin Eckley, the director of community and housing at the district council.

He was told that he would have to stop.

He explained: "The council has suggested in the past that I use water from the laundry room, but the creatures were not pleased with the quality of water from there. I'm just at a loss to see why I can't help the birds and animals by giving them water.

"This does not present a danger to anyone. I'm being stopped from helping by a senseless and rigid rule."

A spokesman from Wycombe District Council said: "We sympathise with Mr Russell's wish to provide water for birds, but he has been informed that lowering a bucket of water from his first floor flat constitutes a breach of his tenancy conditions not to cause 'a nuisance, danger or annoyance to neighbours'.

"If Mr Russell complies with our request to desist, no further action will be taken, but if he continues to lower a bucket from his window we will regrettably have no choice but to commence legal proceedings which could result in him losing his home. "