Fed-up locals say they are being plunged into constant gloom by towering 60ft trees which block sunlight from their homes.

Dozens of Norway maples, sycamores and silver birch saplings were planted by pupils around the perimeter of Great Wood Primary School in 1988.

But 38 years later, residents in the pretty village of Tean, Staffs., say the trees have shot up to more than 60ft (18.3m) and now loom over their properties.

Homeowners say the huge trees block out sunlight, leaving rooms and gardens in near-permanent shade.

They also fear they could topple during heavy storms and come crashing down onto their homes.

Grandmother-of-five Kay Mitchell, 79, said the overgrown trees could even deter prospective house buyers.

The retired coffee shop owner said: "My biggest fear is that the trees aren't healthy, not spaced far apart and covered in ivy - they are a risk.

"It's blocking light from my garden, but the main thing is they aren't healthy and aren't going to stand for very long.

"They aren't maintained by the school.

"They are only about 5ft apart in a double row and they're going to crowd each other out.

"They're all 60ft tall, and the ground is higher than the houses so they really do blot out the sun.

"They're enormous some of them, their branches in one case is just one metre away from a neighbour's chimney.

"We are told we can cut the branches but no-one around here is able to climb 60ft to cut these branches.

"One neighbour had to pay £300 to have some branches cut after one smashed into her greenhouse.

"The main risk is that they could fall - if you were in your bed it could come down right on top of you.

"It could be a disaster if they fell."

Grandmother-of-one Maureen Forsyth, who has lived in her home for three years, said the lack of sunlight means she no longer uses her garden.

The retired hotel owner said: "I'm the closest to the trees, one of the trees is only about 5m away from my home.

"If one of the larger branches or trees does fall you can only imagine the damage it will cause.

"The branches that overhang my house are pretty large so they could do damage.

"The canopy is just about 1ft away from my chimney, if there was a chimney fire it would make the spread all that easier.

"The leaves are part of living in a country area like this, it's part of the area.

"But I don't use the back garden because it's so dark and there wasn't any light, so we just built a shed.

"It's mainly dark all the time, my utility room backs onto that and I always have to put my light on.

"You can't use the spare bedroom without turning the light on.

"The branches that are coming over and encroaching on my property are far too high for me.

"I don't believe the school for one minute is aware of the situation, they see a lovely row of trees and don't realise what's happening beyond the tree line."

Another neighbour, who wished to remain anonymous, said her home does not get sunlight until late morning.

She said: "They're right behind our house, the garden goes up a bit and the fence is there - it's a matter of yards away from the trees.

"They've grown really tall and quite a few have ivy growing right up until the canopy.

"They sway so much in the wind, one branch broke off while I was in the garden and gave me a right fright.

"They block out all the light - we've gone from having a view to no view at all.

"There's so much shade here, we can't see the sky.

"We don't get any sun until mid-morning."

Homeowner Andrew Ibbotson described clearing up after the trees as a "never-ending mission".

He said: "They're just so domineering.

"They're everywhere. We are living in the woods.

"I think they need to be taken down."

Great Wood Primary School, which is part of the Moorlands Primary Federation (TMPF) Trust, said regular safety inspections of the trees are carried out.

A spokesperson said: "The management of trees on the site is something which the school takes seriously and as such commission regular surveys and reports to ensure they are doing so.

"The school will always listen to any concerns raised and are happy to meet with neighbouring residents to endeavour to work respectfully towards a resolution for all parties which is mindful of professional advice, safety and our environmental responsibilities."

High Peak Borough Council and Staffordshire Moorlands District Council say they are powerless to act because the trees are not deemed "dangerous".

A spokesperson said: "The trees are not protected by Tree Preservation Order (TPO) and are not within a conservation area, therefore there is no statutory role for the council in that regard.

"There is no legislation that restricts the height or width a tree may be on private land."