THE rusty stump of a lamppost in Lydney is showing remarkable fortitude in defying all efforts to remove it.

The redundant stump has been outside the driveway of Mary and Tony Putterill in Whitecross Road, Lydney for years, despite their many requests to dig it out.

Mary and Tony take up the bizarre story.

"On Wednesday morning," says Mary. "Two vans from Eon turned up. They dug a hole around the stump. Then they put up a barrier around it. We asked if they were going to remove the stump and they said they knew it was supposed to come out, but that wasn't their job. Their job was to dig the hole.

"Then on Thursday a big truck turned up from Central Networks with a big grabber. It then filled the hole in again. Not that it was that deep – I could have done it with a trowel.

"We asked what they were doing and they said it was on their worksheet to backfill the hole.

"Then on Friday some van marked with the name Target Zero came and resurfaced the filled in hole – its only about two feet by two feet. Then they went away leaving the stump in place.

"That's three different companies, seven people, about four vans and a truck (which we think came from Gloucester). They all seemed to know the stump had to be removed, but none of them seemed to talk to each other.

"It is so ridiculous, utter madness. If you think about the amount of money that's been spent and so far what they've achieved is to dig a hole, fill it back in again and tar over it, even though they all seemed to know the whole purpose was to take out the stump. Completely mental.

"What we're left with now is the same stump and a rather worse bit of pavement."

•Do you have any similar stories. Potholes at the side of the road filled in, while the ones in the middle of the road left untouched? Lines painted along the side of the highway, only for the road to be resurfaced a week later? Give us a ring at the Review on 01594 841113.