IT'S been almost six months since a sink hole opened up on the edge of Link Top Common in Malvern causing misery for the residents living nearby - but, finally, it looks like the problem might be fixed.

The hole is at the top end of Moorlands Road alongside a footpath on the edge of the Common and Helen Milton, who lives close by, has been trying to get help to sort it out as the hole is just getting deeper and wider.

Recent heavy rain this week has sent a big piece of the side of the hole falling in and the pipes which are in the bottom of the hole moving around.

Now Malvern Hills Trust, which says it is not responsible for the pipe, has agreed to do some repairs.

It was last October when Mrs Milton first alerted the authorities to the hole.

Originally it had three barriers around it, and now there are nine.

It is about two and a half metres long, two metres wide in one place and at least a metre deep.

Mrs Milton said: "I have not seen anyone here to look at the hole and the rate it is going they will soon have to put more barriers around as it is getting wider.

"I recently noticed a Malvern Hills Trust display of old photos which showed a large pond in Moorlands Road, perhaps that has something to do with it.

"Malvern Hills Trust has just had a new CEO - perhaps she will help us?"

The Trust's CEO Deborah Fox said: "We are sorry to hear of residents' upset and inconvenience caused by this issue. We believe that this is not Malvern Hills Trust's responsibility and that it is related to the Tank Quarry, which is not under MHT's ownership.

"Our investigations are still ongoing into determining the ownership.

"However, to relieve the situation, at its meeting on March 7, the MHT Board agreed for me to write to prospective owners to inform them that we intend to make repairs to the pipe and ground whilst continuing our investigations.

"It will take some time to draw up the work specification and details for the long-term repair of the

hole."

Coun Beverley Nielsen, Malvern Langland representative on Worcestershire County Council said: "I've spoken with Malvern Hills Trust (MHT), the landowner, as the county council believes the Trust to be responsible for this pipe. However, MHT do not accept responsibility and think it is unlikely this pipe is a culverted watercourse.

"However, the Trust are taking a responsible course of action in that the new CEO of MHT, Deborah Cox, has gained board dispensation to fix this problem, on a permanent basis, whilst they also seek to clarify ownership of the pipe, as the Trust take residents concerns very seriously.

"They, along with all of us, are very sorry for the inconvenience suffered by our local residents.

"I'm impressed by the Trust's stance in acting promptly to remediate this situation as Deborah has only been in post for eight days. I am pleased the Trust has taken the initiative and together with our residents I very much look

forward to seeing this problem fixed."

On hearing this news Mrs Milton said: "I am really thrilled that at long last something is being done and the sooner the better, because every time it rains the hole gets worse."