A GROUP of dedicated residents trying to preserve an historic police yard is kicking up a stink about rubbish being left strewn across it.

Garbage has been dumped next to bins, algae has developed and there is pigeon muck ruining the carefully-restored Old Police Office Yard in Kendal town centre.

Now, Kendal Civic Society is calling on people to take responsibility for clearing up after themselves at the mid 19th century yard.

Secretary Patricia Hovey said: "We have tried to make the yard nice with murals and setting a plaque so people can learn more about the yard's history.

"It is such a shame, having spent so much money and effort in restoring the yard, to have people throwing their rubbish in there."

Another issue is algae, which could pose danger to people using the yard.

Mrs Hovey said: "The yard doesn't get much sunlight there, and with rain and algae the stairs can be very slippery. Someone could hurt themselves. We are in talks with a company to clean the algae, but we don't understand why the council can't come clean the yard."

The yard, between Market Place and Finkle Street, is named after the police station that once stood on the corner.

The society's careful restoration of Old Police Office Yard, decorated with a mural by artist Claire Cooper, was unveiled last spring.

A spokesman for South Lakeland District Council said: “Our enforcement officers make regular visits to commercial premises in order to remind business owners about their responsibilities to ensure that commercial waste is effectively contained in their bins.

“In some areas of town there may be a combination of issues, of littering by the public and commercial waste not being contained in bins, and if a particular litter problem is reported to us then we can arrange for the area to be tidied up and we can take enforcement action if the problem persists.’’

Cumbria County Council undertakes safety inspections once a year, repairing any dangerous defects.