AN angry resident has hit out at the mindless vandals who are using the empty property next to his home as a dumping ground.

George Mason, of Rock Hill, has been battling for seven years against the people who have turned the Victorian house into what resembles a bombsite.

"Amongst all the rubbish there are two beds, a toilet and a fridge, and it has been much worse," said Mr Mason.

He also claims night owls are using the garden to urinate and dump litter on after the pubs and clubs close every weekend.

The house has remained empty since its owner, the late Annie Smith, moved to a nursing home in Catshill in 1997.

Mr Mason claims a Northfield man bought the house but did not move in and has only visited about six times. Since then it has fallen into a state of disrepair.

"I do not want to move as I have lived here fifteen years and spent a lot of money doing up my house. I just want something done about it," added Mr Mason. David Williams, the district council's chief officer for environmental services, said: "I appreciate that this has been a long and drawn out case, partly because the owner has been absent from the property so we could not contact him. We are still pursuing this situation until we reach a satisfactory ending."

Council spokeswoman Mary Pryce added: "The owner did apply for planning permission to extend and improve this house in December 2003 but the application was turned down on the grounds it was not inkeeping with the other houses. We have written to him asking to resubmit a more suitable plan.

"The council will do all it can to ensure this issue is sorted out as soon as possible."

The owner was not available at the time the Advertiser/Messenger went to press.