Neighbours are calling for the National Trust to upgrade safety at a crumbling building for fear a child may get hurt at the "dangerous" site.

The charity owns the property, off Well Street in Loose, which it refers to as the Wool House Barn.

In the official English Heritage listings, it is described as a former oasthouse.

It is now just a shell.

Residents in Fairview Cottages, which back onto the property, say it has been left with scaffolding around it for years.

Furthermore, the neglected site is open and easily accessed by adventurous children.

Hannah Pearce said: "We're worried one day a child will be hurt."

She said the trust had promised residents that it would fence off the property, but she said: "That was months ago, and although contractors have been out to measure up, nothing has materialised.

Mrs Pearce said: "Several families nearby have young kids. It's a worry - and an eyesore."

The National Trust said: "Wool House barn is a Grade II listed barn located within the grounds of Wool House.

"It lies at the southern end of the Loose Valley Conservation Area. Both buildings are in the ownership of the trust, with Wool House currently tenanted as a residential let.

"The 18th century barn was probably constructed as a stowage, or warehouse, serving the adjoining complex of oast kilns, none of which now survive."

"Our priority is to make the Wool House barn safe and to conserve it for the future..."

The spokesman said: "A similar stowage, which formed part of this group survives at Southgate, immediately to the south-east of Wool House, though it has been converted."

The stone barn building is approximately 70ft long and 30ft wide, and is built partly built into the side of the hill. It has three storeys, with the ground floor partly submerged. It has a number of mullioned windows. It is not visible from the road, and many passers-by may not know it is there.

The trust spokesperson said: "Our priority is to make the Wool House barn safe and to conserve it for the future.

"Our planned improvements will also tidy up the whole area, making it more presentable while we consider future options.

"As part of our activity to support this, we have completed some essential clearance and tree work and, subject to planning consent, we will fence the area in question to make it safe."

"We expect this work to be completed by end of the summer.

"In the longer term, we are keen to work with the community to explore options for the future of the site."

He said: "Scaffolding remains in place at the property so that structural repairs can be made to the property once the area has been made safe.”