PLANS for a needle exchange centre in the heart of Malvern have been condemned by a neighbour.

Worcestershire Substance Misuse Advice Team (SMAT) wants to open the centre at 109 Church Street, near the Graham Road junction.

But resident Russell Petty, who lives in a second-floor flat at the same address, is opposing the plan.

He said: "My flat has a door on the first-floor landing which is just by the door to this centre. There are chairs on the landing as if they want to use it as a waiting room."

A planning application for the exchange and advice centre has been sent in to Malvern Hills District Council.

Mr Petty, who moved into the flat earlier this year, says he intends to lodge an objection.

"These people need help but it should not be in a residential building," he said.

Mr Petty has welcomed the opposition of Great Malvern Association of Trade to the plan.

"They're trying their best to make Malvern more attractive to visitors and this won't help. It's not exactly nice for the tourists," he said.