SECURITY patrols pacing the beat in Priory Park have been so successful in deterring vandals that they may continue into next year.

Patrols have been touring the park, the Grange, public toilets and the Splash since July, after several incidence of vandalism.

Richard Allison, Malvern Hills District Council estates and valuation officer, said: "The patrols are certainly going to carry on until Christmas and may carry on after that. At the moment it seems to be having a very good effect.

"What spurred it into action was windows being broken at the Citizen Advice Bureau in the Grange. Two windows damaged cost us £900 to repair. That pays for about 18 months of patrols and since the patrol was introduced there have been no incidents at all."

Mr Allison said a meeting on December 3 would consider whether to continue patrols next year.

Upgrading of the park, for which £61,000 was allocated in September, is also under way, with work expected to be completed next spring.

Paul Sobczyk, head of client services, said: "Some of the work has commenced in terms of planting out shrub borders, otherwise we're at the planning stage writing an order of the works which will be put into action as soon as practicable."

This will include restoring the rockery, repairing crazy paving, cleaning the pool by the Grange, repointing stone walls, widening the Splash path, new signs, drainage improvements and replanting.