DIRTY mattresses, broken glass and an old sofa are just some of the rubbish blighting a beauty spot which has become a haven for flytipping and bad behaviour.
Perry Wood Local Nature Reserve, near Ronkswood, is used by dog-walkers, school children and families - but is also a hotspot for flytippers and anti-social behaviour.
A dog walker took pictures of dumped rubbish at the nature reserve which has existed in some form since Anglo-Saxon times.
Fly-tipping has been an ongoing issue in the Ronkswood area but city councillor Basharat Ali said he wants to crack down on those who dump rubbish at the beauty spot
The Nunnery Wood ward councillor said: "Fly-tipping is not acceptable and we want to encourage people not to do that."
READ MORE: Worcester council accused of 'anti-Warndon sentiment' over battle to stop fly-tipping
One resident reported car batteries, household waste, alcohol bottles and garden waste dumped in the woods on a recent walk.
The semi-natural ancient woodland usually attracts wildlife including buzzards, jays, and speckled wood butterflies.
However, popular trails through the woods are becoming almost unwalkable.
Residents have raised concerns about the undergrowth erosion on the footpath that is commonly used by school children and dog walkers.
In the area, large dead trees have fallen over popular walking routes and dog poo has often covered the routes.
A Worcester News reader, who lives in the area, said: "I take my dog for a walk up there and you get a lot of foot traffic, I saw five bin bags up there and alcohol bottles."
The 34-year-old builder added: "It's very disappointing.
"It is a nature reserve and you can see how many birds, animals and other wildlife live there.
"I have half a mind to keep my dog on a lead now when I'm up there.
"It is supposed to be a nature reserve however it is treated as a dumping ground and a hive for anti-social behaviour, including drinking and people riding motorbikes through the woods and on the footpaths.
"My dog nearly got hit by a motorbike that was riding on the footpath in the woods a couple of weekends ago.
"I have half a mind to keep my dog on a lead now when I'm up there."
A spokesperson for Worcester City Council said: “City Council staff attended the Perry Wood site last week and removed two large loads of fly-tipped waste.
“We are now putting in place a plan to deal swiftly with fly-tipping in the area, and we would be interested in hearing from any volunteer groups who might be available to help support this work.
“If any residents or visitors spot fly-tipping at Perry Wood, or elsewhere in the city, the best thing to do is to give us the details at worcester.gov.uk/report-it.
"Where possible, it is a great help if people can supply location details from the what3words app, as that helps us find the exact location of the fly-tipping.”
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