A FURIOUS Malvern woman claims youths using a new skateboarding site are leaving excrement in a stream only feet from her house.

Vivian Shephard alleges youngsters using the ramps at Victoria Park are using the water as a toilet, leaving faeces collecting in the stream.

People living near the Pickersleigh Avenue park claim it is the latest in a string of problems created by youngsters. They say the youths - some as young as 10 - smoke and drink until late into the night leaving them too afraid to use the park.

"We've been steamrollered into having these ramps," she said.

"We had a meeting with the district council last August when we voted against the ramps with a majority of 23 to three. Yet the council went ahead and we're left with the consequences."

But the 52-year-old, of Park Close, said she blamed Malvern Hills District Council as it failed to repair a toilet block, damaged by fire in January, during its programme to improve recreational facilities.

"The youngsters are using the hedges and even the door way at the park's health centre as toilets, and the smell at the back of my house is disgusting," she added.

"The toilets were ruined after a fire earlier in the year and should have been repaired for the youths to use."

Kevin Douglas - chairman of the District Community Safety Partnership and corporate director at the district council - said the district had no responsibility for the park as it was transferred to the town council 12 months ago.

But he added the district had acted as an agent for the town council during the programme and done work including putting ramps up.

He said the council now had no more involvement with the park.

"Where the confusion has arisen is that we provided capital funds for improvements to the park's recreational facilities and a new pavilion," he said.

"But we were acting on behalf of the town council and we no longer have any involvement with it."

A spokeswoman from Malvern Town Council confirmed the toilets were reopened on Monday.