HELP is at hand for motorists who keep getting bogged down in a car park designed to cope with wet weather.

Several drivers have found themselves stuck in the mud at the new eco-friendly car park at the Old Hills, Callow End, in the past few weeks.

The problem has got so bad that the Malvern Hills Conservators, which manages the hills, have had to close the car park.

But Conservators director Ian Rowat said labourers were due to return to the site over the weekend to install some drainage.

"What was happening is we were getting water coming off the road and going down the track into the car park so we were getting excess water there," he said. "I think we've recognised the problem and hopefully have acted as quickly as we can."

The car park was installed in spring this year with the surface - called Suretrac - being a mixture of coconut and sand which retains water and nutrients and withstands wear and tear from vehicles.

The move was made as a reaction to visitors getting stuck on the hills in the winter months and damaging the grass.

It cost more than £20,000 and was funded through a grant from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

Mr Rowat said the group had a site meeting with KPJ Contracting and representatives from Suretrac to discuss the best solution.

He added that they were also in talks with project engineers - Robert West Design of Worcester - regarding drainage issues.

The cost of the latest work, expected to take a couple of days, has yet to be finalised, with the car park due to re-open this week.

It will involve an additional exit being put in at the bottom of the car park to re-assure motorists.

Mr Rowat said: "It's a teething problem and is not going to cost an awful lot as it's just a storm drain we're putting in.

"We could put stone in the car park but we're trying to look for a softer environmental solution."