AN abandoned truck that has been left in a street for months is attracting crime and ruining efforts to improve a neighbourhood.

The Make Bowerdean Beautiful campaign was launched last week in an attempt by residents to encourage pride in their surroundings, improve the appearance of the area and so help reduce petty crime.

Clive James, a 39-year-old painter from Hill View, lives opposite the lay-by where the truck is parked.

He said: "It gets really annoying and it feels like I have been staring at it forever.

"People coming to the chippy can't get parked by the shop anymore and park on our side of the road blocking the driveways.

"What is the use of us trying to make Bowerdean look pretty if we have to look at that? Nobody is going to think it looks beautiful."

Cllr Julia Wassell said: "I am being lobbied all the time by people complaining about the truck. It's very ugly and it will attract crime.

"The front windscreen is smashed and you can't drive it like that.

"I have contacted the police and the council but they won't do anything about it.

"They know who it belongs to and they say as long as it is taxed they can't remove it," she added.

For now the residents are stuck with the truck until the owner removes it or the tax runs out in July.