RESIDENTS at a "hell-hole" block of flats in Kidderminster have appealed in vain to a housing company boss to spend a nighat there to experience their "disgusting" living conditions.

The invitation to Ray Brookes, chief executive of Wyre Forest Community Housing, was made by tenants' group chairman James Cullen, 76, and his wife Evelyn, 66, who live in a high-rise flat at Derwent House, one of the blocks in Hurcott Road.

It was politely rejected - with a company spokesman saying Mr Brookes had regularly visited at all times of day and night.

Mr and Mrs Cullen, who represent the tenants, say they fear the flats are being deliberately used as a dumping ground for the area's most undesirable people, including drug dealers and addicts. The claim is strongly denied by the company.

Residents also say security is "non-existent", communal areas are filthy and a new CCTV system is a waste of money.

Mr Cullen, who was attacked as he waited for a lift up to his flat last year, said the blocks have become a hell-hole. "It's frightening to come back here."

His wife added: "I am ashamed to invite anyone back here. I have a lovely home and keep it spotless but to get to me visitors have to pass through these smelly, dirty corridors and lifts.

"Things are going from bad to worse. Known drug dealers are being moved in, along with people with serious problems, while most of our friends are going because they can't stand the noise and the filth."

Their appeal for more action has been backed by Mike Oborski, the district council's Liberal group leader who went on a fact-finding tour and concluded: "The housing company board should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves.

"The idea of coming home here, especially at night, just fills me with horror. It's unreasonable to ask decent people to live like this."

A company spokesman said security was a priority. Hurcott Road was included in the company's first street wardens scheme covering Broadwaters and more CCTV cameras were going up.

A major clean-up would take place next week, to boost the current daily cleaning.

And new security door systems would be installed this year, followed by a facelift for communal areas.

"The company acknowledges that although a number of improvements have been made and are on-going, further work is required to make a sufficient impact. Future investment is under review at this moment."