VOLUNTEERS who look after a nature reserve in Malvern Wells say they are fed up with feeling like "unpaid slaves".

And they want Malvern Hills District Council to hurry up and put in place a management agreement to look after the St Wulstan's Nature Reserve.

The reserve was formed from the development for housing of a wartime US Army infirmary, later a psychiatric hospital. Bovis Homes donated the 55-acre plot, together with £75,000 to the district council.

Anne Bowker, of the St Wulstan's Nature Reserve Management Group, said: "We're just feeling a bit frustrated that things do not seem to be progressing. We feel a little bit like unpaid slaves."

Since its formation last year, the management group has put in a noticeboard and benches, and carried out various planting and management tasks.

"When we formed we had quite a number of people turning up, but since then the numbers have dwindled. We probably need to relaunch to attract more volunteers."

MHDC's executive board discussed the matter on Tuesday, September 19, and authorised council officers to go ahead with the agreement.

Coun Tom Wells suggested officers should also look into liaising with Worcestershire County Council's countryside service over the site's management.