A couple have finally won a five-year-long dispute with their neighbours over towering trees which they claim blocked sunlight from reaching their home.

Keith and Julie Smith, who have lived in their Edinburgh home for more than 40 years, took action against their neighbours after their cypress trees planted along a shared fence grew too tall.

Keith described the trees as having created a "green wall" which stopped sunlight reaching the couple's garden and windows of their property, according to the MailOnline.

The Smiths contacted Edinburgh City Council in a bid to have the trees cut down but their request was turned down.

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The Scottish Government said the trees need to be cut down to 8.5ft (Stock Image)

The couple then escalated their case to the Scottish Government who ruled all the trees must all be reduced to 8.5ft despite attempts by neighbours to keep one at its current height.

The trees are set to be lowered to the new height later this year.