AN 85-year-old motorist has branded council officials "plonkers" because plans for a new fence will leave his Del Boy-style three-wheeler stranded in the garage.

William Heald is 85 and loves his Reliant Rialto - a car he has had for 13 years and keeps in a garage behind his Accrington home...

But his Only Fools and Horses-style three-wheeler - his lifeline to the outside world - is now in danger of being marooned.

Hyndburn Council plans to build a protective fence around a group of elderly people's bungalows nearby which will prevent him from taking it out of his garage.

He claims that if the fence goes ahead, he will be unable to squeeze his tiny car down the grassy back alley that links the garage with Richmond Road. William, a former electrician, said: "It isn't the fence we object to, it's just that I won't be able to get the car out of the garage if they put it there."

According to the deeds Mr Heald has, the alley at the back of his property should be 12ft across - and is already more than a foot too narrow. He believes this is part of the problem.

Now he faces parking at the front of his property where wife Katherine, 84, parks her Ford Fiesta - which has had its windows and wing mirrors smashed by vandals. He said: "The alley was like that when we moved in. I would like them to move the fencing further back.

"I use the car every day and I do a lot of shopping as my wife can't get about.

Edith Dunston, the Springhill ward councillor who championed the need for a protective fence around the bungalows, said: "I have informed officers so they're aware of what he is saying.

Coun Tony Dobson, the council's cabinet member for housing, said: "Mr Heald has accessed the garage at the rear of his house for a number of years by driving onto the grass adjacent to the back lane.

"Following consultation with residents at the Extra Care sheltered scheme in Springhill, Hyndburn Homes is looking to erect a fence to improve security and privacy.

"If the council erect the fence, Mr Heald may no longer have sufficient turning circle with his vehicle to drive into the garage.

"We have asked our legal department to look into the width of the back street and verify Hyndburn Borough Council's true boundary line to resolve this."