THE mayor of Worcester says he is 'appalled' to hear of a three-year-long battle to rid a peaceful street of yobbishness, vandalism and binge-drinking.

Residents of Great Oaty Gardens in Warndon Villages, Worcester, have been plagued by louts who congregate in a children's playground six feet from their front doors.

They have complained about drink-fuelled noise, drug taking, underage sex and vandalism - including the destruction of council signs displaying plans to renovate the area.

The neighbours, who are too frightened to identify themselves, told this week's meeting of Warndon Parish Council there was 'mayhem' on the middle-class estate, which attracted young people from other areas of Worcester late at night.

Mayor Aubrey Tarbuck, who was invited to the meeting to mark his inauguration, said: "I've been listening to this and what they were saying sounds absolutely appalling.

"They shouldn't have people doing this sort of thing six feet from their front door.

"Police should be up there. Community support officers should be up there. Youth workers should be up there. It's appalling and disgraceful and shouldn't be happening."

One resident told the meeting: "It's a lovely quiet area with nice houses and is very respectable but it's been downtrodden by youths causing mayhem and dismay and making our lives a misery.

"They smash bottles, they throw trolleys. At 1.30am they shout and scream."

Another resident, who said he had lived all over the country, including in deprived mining communities, added: "I've never lived in such a depressing area. There's glass and litter all over the park and I'm too embarrassed to show visitors.

"I'm amazed it's gone on for three years."

It follows complaints about youth behaviour reported in the Worcester News earlier this year.

Police tackled yobbish behaviour in the area 18 months ago when they introduced a special order, meaning they could disperse youths who were congregating. Sgt Christopher Allen, of West Mercia Police, said that had largely solved the problem and the current levels of disorder did not warrant its reintroduction.

He said: "The anxiety of some residents is understandable but does not reflect what is going on at the moment."

Worcester City Council is currently consulting on plans to redesign the park to move it away from the homes.

l If you live in Warndon Villages and you have a story, reporter Ian Wishart would like to hear from you. Contact him on 01905 742256 or e-mail: iw@thisisworcester.co.uk