The city council of Cardiff has formally apologized to 88-year-old Betty Davies after a street cleaner warned her against sweeping leaves off of her porch. Davies admitted she was at a loss for words when the street cleaner told her she could be fined after seeing her sweeping leaves form her porch in her home in Splott, Cardiff.

"I swept the leaves out into the pavement and I came back into my house and shut the door," Davies said. "A road sweeper, who was on the other side of the road, knocked on my door and when I answered he said 'you could be fined for doing that.'"

"I was lost for words - I just didn't know what to say. He then said 'I'm just giving you a warning this time.' I went back inside and sat down and thought 'what a blimmin cheek'. I'm 88 and although I can look after myself, I'm a pensioner and quite old," the widow added.

Alex Evans, a local councilor said he believes the street cleaner was totally out of order when he knocked on Davies' door.

"That is a no, no," said Evans.

The apology extended to Davies was confirmed by a spokesman for Cardiff Council. In a statement, "the council apologizes for the reported comments made to Betty Davies. The council would not fine people for sweeping leaves on the highway from the front of their home."