A PENSIONER is leading a community battle to recapture a park that has been taken over by yobs and drug addicts.

Marie Meter said she was forced to act after no longer feeling safe in the park, just yards from her Weymouth home.

Widow Mrs Meter says Chapelhay Gardens was once a lovely area where residents could relax and enjoy the view over town.

But the plants and bushes have overgrown and it has become a regular haunt of addicts, drunks and noisy youths, who congregate there at different times of the day and night.

Mrs Meter, 77, said: "I don't go in there anymore because it's not safe.

"I can't believe it's been allowed to get into such a state.

"It's a community area yet members of the community are afraid to use it.

"I've lived at Chapelhay for about 20 years now and I'm proud to call it my home, but I find it sad that a nice area like that has turned into something terrible."

Mrs Meter, of Trinity Court, has started up her own petition, which she will present to Weymouth and Portland Borough Council.

Copies of the petition have been left in pubs and shops, and residents are encouraged to add their names.

Mrs Meter said: "I think the area should get a bit more attention from the council. If all the weeds and undergrowth was cut back it would be a start."

The campaign is being supported by area councillors John Birtwistle and Nigel Reed, who have been aware of the problems for some time.

Coun Birtwistle said: "The gardens are virtually derelict and there's a feeling locally the area is being ignored by the council.

"Both Councillor Reed and I would like to see the improvement of the gardens put back on the council's agenda."

He added: "My own feeling is that it is issues like these that matter most to the community and it is my intention to raise this at the full council meeting in September."

Council parks supervisor Carl Dallison said Chapelhay Gardens was set to be renovated but it was moved down the list of priorities during the time of severe budget cuts.

As a result the gardens now only receive 'minimal maintenance.'

Mr Dallison added: "The gardens are no longer considered a high priority.

"Unfortunately there's only so much money to go round."

He said there will be some planting on nearby Chapelhay Steps in the autumn.