THE overgrown garden in these pictures has been described by Malvern Hills District Council as being “in reasonable condition”.

Officers were responding to complaints from neighbours who say the bungalow at Whitehall Close, Rushwick, near Worcester, has fallen into disrepair since the owner died 10 years ago.

The empty home remains exactly as it was when previous resident, widow Violet Jones, died – while the car left on the driveway has not been moved for at least five years.

Neighbours believe the overgrown property has led to blocked drains and rats – although following their recent complaints, some efforts have been made to tidy up. Neighbour Vera Cottrill said: “It has just been left. I complained to the street scene team at Malvern Hills two or three years ago because there were shrubs which had grown so high, I couldn’t see up the road.

“I’m surprised there haven’t been squatters.

“It’s not fair. I’m a widow who has to pay to have her garden done and then I’ve got this lot here.”

Another neighbour, Freddy Buck, showed us where weeds from the back garden have grown through into his garage. He said: “I don’t consider it very neighbourly to blight my life.”

The property, which is believed to be worth between £150,000 and £200,000, was passed on to the niece of the former owner.

It is not known why the house had been left unattended for so long.

An inspection by the council’s street scene team found no evidence of vermin and officers ruled that the garden was in overall reasonable condition.

A council spokesman said: “We contacted the owner to discuss the removal of the vehicle and future care of the property.

“Following a positive meeting with the owner, the street scene team are now monitoring the situation to see that action is taken.”

The issue was initially raised by Harriett Baldwin, Conservative parliamentary candidate for West Worcestershire.

She said: “I appreciate that the bungalow is privately owned, but surely it cannot be right that a perfectly good home in a prominent position in a lovely village can be left untouched for a decade, when there is a shortage of homes.”