POLICE were called to intervene in a row between pensioners at a retirement home - over a vase of flowers. 

Officers visited the retirement housing in Deepway Lane, Exminster following a complaint of aggressive behaviour.

The incident happened after a war of words broke out between residents about a vase of flowers in the communal hallway. 

Some residents decided to display the artificial flowers on a window sill but another tenant claimed they were a fire risk and posed a threat to others in the block. 

The company managing the flats, The Guinness Partnership, was called out to investigate.

Residents were asked by management to remove the flowers and place them in one of their flats instead. 

But soon after, the residents decided they wanted the flowers to remain on the window sill to ‘brighten up the place’.

They say the other tenant called the police. 

Ian Hunter, who put up the flowers, said: ‘I decided to put flowers out on the landing window and all of a sudden all hell breaks loose. 

‘All over a bunch of flowers. It just seems childish and pathetic.

‘I had people around from the trust saying it’s a fire hazard. I couldn’t believe what was happening. 

‘I’m sick of looking at them now.’

Thomas, a resident and Ian’s friend, said: ‘The guy complained to the police and two officers turned up over this. 

‘For some strange reason, Guinness Partnership came round the day he reported it and told us we'd have to take the flowers down.

‘They were just plastic flowers in a vase at the top of the communal stairwell to brighten the place up.

‘The police were just trying to pacify I think.’

A spokesperson for The Guinness Partnership said: ‘Communal hallways are shared spaces for all residents to use and enjoy. One resident did not want the artificial flowers displayed and asked they were removed.

‘We understand one resident may have called the police following a disagreement about this.’

Devon and Cornwall Police said: ‘Police were called to Deepway Lane, Exminster, following a report of aggressive behaviour at a property. An officer attended and confirmed all was in order.’