MALVERN'S still unfinished skate park is proving a magnet for young people, bringing with it problems of noise and litter to Victoria Park.

As well as skateboarding, they have been driving motorcycles and cars in the park, giving rise to safety concerns.

One resident has complained to Malvern Town Council about the noise from cars and from the skate park, which they said was being used at midnight and 5am.

But the town council is not yet responsible for the site, which is still in the hands of Malvern Hills District Council and its contractors.

Head of construction services Tony Burford said enthusiastic skateboarders had been "like hyenas circling their prey" as the contractors fitted the new skate park equipment.

"As the men stepped away the youngsters leapt on to it," he said.

"All the equipment is properly installed and the surface is finished but there is a bit of fencing to do. It had to be repaired because they have been climbing over the fence instead of going through the gate.

"There is also a bit of landscaping work to be done in the autumn."

Town clerk Stuart McDonough said: "We're concerned about the litter and there are some contractual issues as well. The site has been damaged already. In one area the grassy bank has disappeared completely, but it's for the contractor and the District Council to put it right before we take over."

There are plans to introduce supervision during evenings and weekends, plus some organised play sessions on the hard play areas, in partnership with MHDC sport and recreation officer Ian Mumford.

"The whole park will need much better management than it has had in the past," said Mr McDonough.

"I think the skateboarders are unfairly blamed for some of the things going on. There are kids going down there with cars and motor bikes and some of the skateboarders are being chased off by older kids."

Existing bylaws do not prohibit vehicles from entering the park and Mr McDonough said it would take time to introduce new bylaws, but it might be possible to put in ditches or bunds fairly quickly.

PC Ian Thompson, the local beat manager, who visits the site regularly, said residents had complained of noise, abusive language and people driving on to the old grass tennis courts and playing loud music.

"I have heard of one motor cyclist using the skateboard ramp and I have seen cyclists on it, but at the moment I have no powers to say whether they can or can't use it," he said.

"I am liaising with the town and district councils and hope that together, as a team, we can sort out the problems."