AN OAKLEY "eyesore" is attracting rats and posing a night-time safety issue for villagers.

Councillor Kate Stewart said locals want the derelict former Holy Name Primary School and overgrown parkland in Link Road cleaned up now.

They've told her the site is attracting vermin while lack of lighting is putting women off using the park pathway at night.

Cllr Stewart said: "This is the centre of the village and it has sadly become an eyesore.

“On one side of the road the former school site is derelict and overgrown and has been so for nearly a decade.

“On the other side, the parkland has been allowed to become overgrown.

"People, particularly women, do not feel safe walking through there at night as there is insufficient lighting.

"It used to be a popular shortcut through the village. It’s becoming a target for fly-tipping."

The old Holy Name building closed prior to the opening of the shared primary school campus with Inzievar on Station Road in 2007.

The six-acre site is advertised as for sale by property firm Shepherd Commercial.

Cllr Stewart invited local Douglas Chapman MP to visit the site and he said: “Residents are telling Councillor Stewart that a revamp of this area is long overdue. She has started to highlight the issue to the relevant authorities and I am supporting her to help make this happen.

“I am encouraging residents to contact Kate or myself to highlight any further concerns they have so we know the strength of feeling among locals.”