DUST from demolition work at North Site in Malvern is making life miserable for people living nearby.

Buildings on the former defence base are being knocked down to make way for a massive new housing development.

But the dust created by demolition and rubble crushing is causing problems for residents of Richards Close.

Katie Ruff, whose house is closest to the site, said she feared the dust was affecting her four-year-old daughter Esme's health.

"She was coughing all night and she never has a cough," said Mrs Ruff. "We've had to keep the windows closed in this hot weather, or the dust gets in everything.

"I can't hang washing out, so I have to use the tumble drier, which is silly in this weather."

Mrs Ruff said the dust on windows and cars was thick enough to write in.

Noise created by the work is also causing problems for neighbours, with work starting as early as 6am.

"If they hadn't cut down the trees that ran behind the fence, they would have been a great help with the noise and the dust," said Mrs Ruff.

She and husband Carl complained to Persimmon in a letter that was also concerned with a property matter, but the reply from the developer made no mention of their complaint.

"They didn't say a thing," said Mrs Ruff.

Neighbour Nikki Hawkins said: "Quite a few people have been complaining about it. It's disgusting.

"The dust was so thick I couldn't allow my children out into the garden. You couldn't sit on the chair out there because of the dust."

John Lougher, managing director of Persimmon Homes South Midlands, said demolition at North Site is due to finish in the next couple of weeks.

"The removal of the trees was required as part of the clearance and remediation of the site," he said. "Owing to the exceptionally dry conditions, additional dust suppression measures are being implemented."