YOUNGSTERS' safety is being risked by a mound of discarded rubbish outside a Worcester block of flats, a resident has warned.

Stephen Williams says he has twice complained to the city council, but the litter - which includes piles of bin-bags, wood and scraps of food - has not been removed.

"Children are left to play with bits of rubbish and debris, and the council does not care about our public health," said 24-year-old Mr Williams.

"I have complained to the city council, via the Warndon Neighbourhood Office, on two different occasions in the past month.

"I warned them of the mess putting children's lives at risk and a potential immediate environmental health hazard.

"Every time I complain they say they will send the caretakers around, yet to this day I have not seen one."

A council representative had assured him that a letter would be sent to every resident, he claims, but none has arrived.

"Rubbish bags are split and logs, cardboard and bits of food line the outside," added Mr Williams, who bought the flat at the junction of Tolladine Road and Windermere Drive in July this year.

Mr Williams, a computer programmer, warned that it would not be long before the area was plagued with rats.

"I pay a maintenance charge every year and I wonder what on earth the council is doing with this charge.

"I thought this would cover the maintenance of the building but I feel like I am paying this for nothing."

David Workman, of Skiddaw Close, branded the rubbish "unsightly".

"My house backs on to the area and it's a mess," he said.

"It does need cleaning up, it's been like this for about 18 months now and it has got gradually worse."

No one at Worcester City Council was available to comment as the Evening News went to press.