Residents living in sheltered accommodation were angered by a letter telling them to stop doing their own gardening and maintenance work.

Resident Malcolm Everton has helped neighbours with odd jobs for two-and-a-half years

Elderly residents at Bradlands, in Mill Lane, Marston, Oxford, felt they had been "kicked in the teeth" by the letter from the city council, which owns the site.

It told them work such as grass-cutting, pruning overgrown bushes and painting fences should only be done by council staff, or if written permission was given.

Resident Malcolm Everton, who has done the jobs free of charge for two-and-a-half years for many of his 80 neighbours, said he felt the letter was directed at him.

City council spokesman David Penney said it was not meant to have singled out Mr Everton.

He apologised for any misunderstanding and said the council's estate management team would be working to ensure Mr Everton could continue to help his neighbours.

But he said Mr Everton, 56, would only be allowed to carry out some of the jobs, because of health and safety regulations. He said: "It's a matter of reaching an understanding about which areas he and other residents can work on, and which must be left to the council." Residents were confused about the letter.

Mr Everton said: "There's never been a problem in the past. All I want to do is help improve the quality of life of my neighbours."

Resident Gloria Simpkins, said: "We feel we've been kicked in the teeth.

"Everyone knows Malcolm and other residents do a lot of work here. I am disabled and he has done everything in my garden for me."

Pat Saunders, Old Marston Residents' Association secretary, said: "Malcolm is a valued part of the community.

"Surely people should be allowed to do their own gardening and maintenance, or choose who does it for them?"

Mary Clarkson, city councillor for Marston, visited Bradlands last week and was unhappy about the letter.

She said: "If our tenants want to get involved with improving their neighbourhood, we should support them."