ANGRY residents want urgent action over a “dangerous” house which they fear could collapse.

Worcester City Council said staff are working with Worcestershire Regulatory Services regarding number 11 Chestnut Walk in Arboretum, to have rubbish cleared away and assess the safety of the structure.

Neighbours have told the Worcester News that the house, at the junction with Tennis Walk, is unoccupied and has been left to fall into disrepair for more than 10 years.

Fiona Shaw-Rudd, 79, who lives next door with husband Brian, said: “It is dangerous, it is a dumping ground, it’s not safe.

“We fear it could collapse, either onto the pavement or onto our property. I’ve seen dead rats, and squirrels going in. The owner has made promises he would be doing it up.

“Before Christmas, I was lying in bed one night and I heard this dreadful rumbling when one of the bedroom ceilings fell in. There is a shortage of housing – we’d like to see somebody living in it, but obviously it needs doing up first.”

Mr Shaw-Rudd, 83, added: “There have been mattresses out the front, now there are television sets and domestic appliances dumped. The house was vacated more than three years ago as it was then uninhabitable, neglected since, and now in a disgraceful condition.”

Other neighbours described the property as an eyesore and ramshackle, and said the house should never have been allowed to fall into such a state.

Items currently dumped outside the property include cones, chairs, tables, gas cannisters, wood, containers and rubble. One of the windows appears to have a missing pane of glass, and has not been boarded up, while there are cracks and the property’s brickwork is crumbling.

Worcester City Council said a notice was served to the owner on August 16, giving him 10 days to clear the rubbish. Worcestershire Building Control has also assessed the structural integrity of the house.

City councillor Joy Squires, who reported the property to the authority, said: “I am waiting for a report back from officers. I have known about the property for a number of years. There is a due process to follow now - the owner should be allowed time to put it right. If he refuses, more action can be taken.”

The owner was unavailable to comment.