COUNCIL chiefs have vowed to clean up a neglected Cradley park after an irate resident contacted the News.

The Bernard Oakley Memorial Gardens were dubbed a “disgrace” by dog walker Yvonne Nash, who said her complaints to Dudley Council had been ignored.

The park was donated to the borough by James Oakley and his wife in memory of their son Bernard, who was killed in Holland in 1944 during the Second Word War.

But Ms Nash, of Highfield Crescent, who regularly walks her dog there, said many local people were angry about the state of the park and no improvements had followed her complaint to the council several months ago.

She said: “It is a disgrace. There is rubbish everywhere, the grass is not cut and the children’s play equipment is filthy and disgusting.”

Ms Nash, a taxi driver, contacted the News in desperation after having reported an overflowing dog poo bin, which had not been emptied four days later.

“After four days the bin still hasn’t been emptied – it is a health hazard. I would have thought that was a priority,” she added.

Ms Nash said park users were also cross that the council only cuts the edges of the grass, leaving most of the area unsightly and impassable.

But cabinet member for environmental services, Halesowen North councillor Hilary Bills promised the park would be cleaned up.

She said: “We will send officers out to the site to look into the concerns at Bernard Oakley Memorial Gardens and respond to any issues as quickly as possible.”