Safety fears over falling pearsA council has cordoned off pear trees in a public park over fears falling fruit could land on someone's head.
Two black pear trees in Cripplegate Park in Worcester have been sealed off with a safety barrier and tape and a sign warns people of falling fruit.
A city council spokesman said the precaution was cheaper than the potential legal cost if someone was hit on the head with a pear and sued.
The cordon will be removed when all the fruit has fallen to the ground.
Worcester is famed for its black pears and the fruit is part of the city coat of arms.
Alan Stuttard, from the city council, said: "We had a complaint from a member of the public that one of these Worcester super pears fell on them and they felt it was dangerous."
He said the pears could weigh up to 1lb (454g) and were much harder many other types of pears.
"What we are interested in is to make sure young kids don't get frightened or hurt," he added.
The trees in question were planted by Edward VIII when he was Prince of Wales.
I think it's about time the people of Worcester were reminded that elderly councilors behind the wheels of cars might have strokes, heart attacks or similar catastrophic problems, and become a sudden danger to other road users.
As a precaution, they should all be put down humanely - or at the very least, banned from taking control of a motor vehicle!
This sort of crap makes me so angry! I think I know why I have developed high blood pressure - now there's a thing - THEY are endagering ME!
Login
Register
FAQ
Search
Members
And the worst of it is, I cant stay wrapped up in cotton wool, or I would starve because I could not risk the possibility that some loony might storm our local ASDA with a gun, in protest at the price they give the farmers (and shotgun certficate holders) for their milk!!