DOG walkers using a gaping hole in a school boundary fence could be creating a health risk by using the playing fields to exercise their pets.

The headteacher of Nunnery Wood High School, Worcester, fears pupils' health could be put at risk from dogs defecating on the school's playing fields.

And pupils from the school are also using it as a shortcut to classes, causing disturbances in a quiet cul-de-sac.

Pupils and dog-walkers have used the hole in the fence, between the school playing fields and Bradford Place in Newtown, Worcester, for 18 months.

The wooden panel fence has already been patched up once at the school's expense, but it was broken down again within 24 hours, said one nearby resident.

Ward councillor Mike Layland said he was on the phone for more than two hours trying to find out who was responsible for the fence, but had drawn a blank.

"A new fence would need to be done properly. We have to make sure this doesn't happen again - people can't go around smashing holes through fences," he said.

"I know local feeling among residents about this is very, very high," he added.

A resident in Bradford Place confirmed it was not just children using the short cut but people walking their dogs on the playing fields.

"We've had footballs banged against our door and people have cut right across our front garden," she said.

Nunnery Wood High School headteacher Alun Williams, expressed his sympathy for the affected homeowners, but said the school was also affected by the gaping opening, which continues to be widened by vandalism.

"We have fixed it once before as a gesture of goodwill, but the fence was soon broken down again," he said.

"We have lovely fields here, and we make extensive use of them. However, I know people do walk dogs on there, and there are the obvious health risks for our pupils who play rugby, hockey and football on the pitches.

He added that there was definitely no right of way through the fence.