A 76-YEAR-OLD dog walker has raised concerns about a stile at the entrance to Langdale Woods, near Malvern.

Derek Bond, who lives near Welland, says he struggles to climb over the stile and is calling for the Three Counties Agricultural Society, which owns the woodland, to install a gate in its place.

The stile is at the entrance on Blackmore Park Road, opposite the turning for the main entrance to the Three Counties Showground.

"All I'm asking for it for them to remove the stile," said Mr Bond, who in the past often took his Jack Russell for walks around Langdale Woods.

He continued: "There is no other way of getting into that wood over that stile.

"Over the last couple of months now I have got to the stage where I do not really want to try anymore because if I slipped and fell I could hurt my knees. It is such a shame.

"I feel very upset about it. I have been struggling for some time to get over. It seems so unfair.

"They are beautiful woods. I'm not going to give up on this."

Ken Nottage, chief executive officer (CEO) at the Three Counties Agricultural Society, said: "Langdale Woods are on private land which is owned by the Three Counties Agricultural Society and, through the good will of the Society, we make them available to the public with our permission.

"Occasionally due to our events and for maintenance, it is necessary to close the woods for periods of time.

"We will consider Mr Bond's request and, assuming budgets permit, we will endeavour to enable access.

"Ultimately the Society does not have to permit access for the public into Langdale Woods but we are happy to share an asset like Langdale Woods with the rest of the community, of which we are part, to enjoy when it can."