WYTHALL residents fed-up with antisocial behaviour have stepped up their campaign for the closure of a nearby hostel for the homeless.

People living near Wythall Lodge in Alcester Road say, despite numerous talks with hostel owners Bromsgrove Council and managers Bromsgrove District Housing Trust (BDHT), nothing has been done about vandalism, graffiti and verbal attacks which they claim are linked to the hostel.

Bromsgrove and Wythall councillor John Gardener said residents had decided to take matters into their own hands and had submitted a petition to Council Leader Dennis Norton.

Mr Gardener said: "Residents feel nothing has been done and the only solution is to close the hostel because there isn't a sufficient deterrent to prevent antisocial behaviour.

"The BDHT states it has a moral obligation to provide secure accommodation for homeless tenants. This should equally apply to other existing hostel residents and Wythall residents."

But Mr Norton said: "The hostel has to be kept open but we are now aware of residents' concerns and are working with the community to resolve anti-social behaviour.''

Antisocial behaviour officer Graham Rocke said there was still not enough evidence of the behaviour emanating from the hostel but urged residents to continue keeping a record of incidents.