FURIOUS Port residents are demanding urgent action over a town centre ‘eyesore’ which they say is making their lives a misery.

Piles of litter, overgrown grass and rooftop trees at the back of the former Woolworths store in King Street have angered local residents who say that the ‘unacceptable’ mess is bringing the whole area down.

Fed-up Tommy Keith, who lives in King Street, is at the end of his tether.

The retired 67-year-old said: “It’s a big mess.

“Since Woolworths closed five or six years ago it has got worse and worse and it has now reached a point where it is unacceptable.

“It’s unbelievable to think this has been allowed to happen in the town centre.” Fellow King Street resident John Turner is equally as annoyed.

The 50-year-old security officer said: “I open my blinds every morning and I’m faced with that mess.

“Quite frankly it’s disgusting.

“I feel that it pulls the whole area down.” The residents also raised concerns about what appears to be an unlocked electricity substation building which has been flooded with water.

Tommy said: “It’s shocking that nobody has sorted that out as it could be dangerous.” Another resident, Margaret McCann, added: “I’m frightened that there could be rats in there.

“When Woolworths was here it was always kept clean and the boys used to play football there but now it’s just an eyesore.” Last month, developers got the go-ahead from the Scottish Government to turn the former Woolworths store into a fast food takeaway.

It came after councillors had earlier blocked the bid, fearing the takeaway would generate noise and smells.

But the applicant successfully appealed to the Scottish Government on the basis that the £25,000 project had earlier been recommended for approval by council officials.

The Tele was unable to contact the developer for a comment.