A FAMILY of frolicking foxes are causing sleepless nights for a tired Worcester resident.

Wojciech Dreja, of Diglis, said he is repeatedly woken up in the early hours of the morning by the sound of the uninvited visitors screeching and playing.

He said during the day, it is lovely to watch the mother lying asleep on the grass, but said it has becomes a "nightmare" when the lights go out and he goes to bed.

"I noticed some really, really noisy screams overnight," said the 21-year-old, of Diglis Road. "Can you imagine five cats fighting together at 2am or 3am? These foxes are worse. Some nights you can't sleep. I just try to cover my head with my pillow and find it very difficult to sleep comfortably."

The recruitment co-ordinator, who moved to Worcester from Poland about two years ago, said the mother and four cubs set up home in the corner of his garden about four weeks ago.

He said one of them even sits on his doorstep during the early morning frolics.

"I don't know what to do," he said. "I am afraid that they will never go. I would like to find somebody who can remove these foxes safely."

Martin Gillies, Worcester City Council's environmental health manager, said the authority does not deal with removing foxes, because they are not regarded as pests, such as rats.

He said an animal repellent can be purchased from gardening stores, which can deter foxes, other animals and birds if used over a period of time.