VILLAGERS are calling for action to renovate a derelict house which has become a blot on the landscape in the centre of their community.The dilapidated Victorian property has been steadily deteriorating over the past seven years and there are fears that it could become a drug den, a dangerous playground for inquisitive youngsters or be used by squatters.

VILLAGERS are calling for action to renovate a derelict house which has become a blot on the landscape in the centre of their community.

The dilapidated Victorian property has been steadily deteriorating over the past seven years and there are fears that it could become a drug den, a dangerous playground for inquisitive youngsters or be used by squatters.

Trimley St Mary Parish Council has voiced its concern and asked the owners to make the site – branded one of the untidiest in the area – safe and secure.

The future of the semi-detached house in High Road, opposite the junction with Station Road, has been uncertain since the death of its millionaire owner.

Parish councillor Mary Dixon said: "Residents have all sorts of concerns about this house, not just the fact that it is a derelict eyesore and needs renovating and bringing back into use because the village badly needs extra housing.

"There are worries among local residents over vermin in the grounds, whether undesirables could get in here and use it as a place for drug and alcohol abuse, or even squatters.

"I wrote to the agents to express these concerns and see what action was being taken to restore what could be a splendid house."

The agents for the late owner Vic Thompson replied and said his estate was still not settled and the future of the property would remain uncertain until all legal matters were complete.

They reassured residents the situation would not continue indefinitely and that action would be taken as soon as possible.

The house has become the target of stone-wielding vandals whose efforts have forced the glass-panelled front door and ground floor bay window to be boarded up with ugly chipboard.

The six-bed house would have been one of the smartest and grandest in the village street when it was built a century ago.

It is one of a large number owned by Thompsons. Company owner Vic Thompson died in 1999 at the age of 88. He left £22 million in his will.

Mr Thompson, who left a widow and two sons, left school at 14 and started out in business at the age of 20, setting up his own building firm.

During the 1930s he built about 850 properties in and around Ipswich and had 150 or more men working for him.

The house in High Road has permission to converted into flats, providing car parking can be provided at the rear with a driveway down the property's side.