A DERELICT former school site in Stourbridge which has been plagued by vandalism is being reclaimed by nature - video footage reveals.

Film-maker Ian Macey's YouTube video captures on camera the full extent of the decaying state of the old Longlands School in the Old Quarter.

The site, now owned by Birmingham Metropolitan College, has lain empty since 2011 when it was mothballed by the college with a view to being sold off for housing in the future.

A deal to develop the overgrown site, which is partially locally listed, had been on the cards but fell through last summer. Cameron Homes had been selected to breathe new life into the Brook Street site but pulled out after undertaking preparatory work and surveys.

Since then - there has been no update from BMet bosses as to what will become of the old school/art college which remains at the mercy of the elements and vandals.

Footage shot by 42-year-old urban explorer Mr Macey, a keen documenter of abandoned places, shows it is now a shadow of its former glory.

Stourbridge News:

Windows have all been smashed, fires have ravaged various parts and the buildings are fast being taken back by nature.

Trees and bushes can be seen growing through windows into abandoned classrooms - many of which are also eerily littered with artwork left behind when the final Stourbridge College art students vacated the buildings when courses were moved to a new art and design campus in Brierley Hill.

Mr Macey, who has visited the neglected site on a number of occasions, said he was shocked to see "all artwork left there and student documents and kilns - stuff that could be sold".

Stourbridge News:

The buildings are also reportedly awash with broken glass and Mr Macey is warning others not to follow suit and set foot in the dangerous site where a fellow urban explorer suffered a serious, almost life-threatening, gash to his arm last year.

He told the News: "I don't want to encourage kids to go and trespass in there. The last thing I want to do is encourage other people to potentially hurt themselves."

Despite the damage to the site from vandals and exposure to the elements - he believes the oldest part, the 1912 quadrant building which formed the original school, could still be salvaged for redevelopment.

But he believes developers would "just want a blank canvas".

BMet bosses have been unavailable for comment on the matter and remain tight-lipped about whether there's any further develop deal in the offing.

Meanwhile - Stourbridge MP Margot James is set to meet with BMet and Dudley Council officials next week to push for progress on the site as neighbouring residents continue to worry about security and safety.

She said: "Progress is undeniably slow on this issue, and while I appreciate these processes take a long time and are rarely straightforward, I was very disappointed when a prospective buyer pulled out.

"I have been working with both the council and the college to increase the likelihood that the land can be sold as rapidly as possible, and I am aware the site is being marketed currently to prospective developers once again. I will be asking for an update at the next meeting."

To see the video in full or for more of Ian's videos check out his YouTube channel by searching Ian Macey or Abandoned Longlands School Stourbridge Autumn 2016.