DRONE pilots have hit back against a bid to ban them from flying their machines over the Malvern Hills.

Members of Malvern Hills Conservators have voted in favour of pushing through a ban on the remotely-piloted vehicles entering the airspace above its land.

But pilots have labelled the move "ludicrous" and misguided and say responsible drone users are being punished for the actions of a reckless few.

Currently, drones can be flown over Conservators-owned land as long as they take off and land on private property.

But the Conservators' land management committee has voted in favour of a ban, which would see bylaws adjusted to require drone pilots to obtain permission on a case-by-case basis.

Drone pilot Adrian Theze, of Albert Road North, says that the Conservators' idea is misguided and that properly qualified pilots should not have to get permission for each flight.

Mr Theze, aged 51, who is disabled with multiple sclerosis and uses a wheelchair, says he is 100 per cent reliant on the income from his photography.

"As the situation stands, the Conservators don't own the airspace above the hills, and this just highlights the ludicrousness of a blanket ban," he said. "I've taken the drone pilot's course offered by the Civil Aviation Authority, so I'm a certified drone pilot, and I've got the correct public liability insurance, which costs about £1,100, and there's no practical reason why I should not be allowed to operate over the hills and commons.

"But Malvern Hills Conservators are taking this knee-jerk reaction. I like taking photographs using dawn light, so I am flying at a time when there are few people around anyway."

Chartered surveyor Davis Prosser, who also uses drones in his work, said: "If you use a drone for work purposes you need CAA permission, which involves study, exams and annual re-application.

"Unfortunately there are many irresponsible flyers around who, as usual, give everyone a bad name."

The question of a ban arose after Conservators staff had noticed a big increase in reports of drones over the hills and common land.

They have also been receiving an increasing number of requests from drone operators seeking permission to fly over the board's land.

The Conservators fear that drones pose a risk to hill users, particularly horse riders and hang-gliding enthusiasts. Hill users have also reported drones scaring livestock and wildlife.

At the land management meeting last week, Conservator Caroline Bovey said: “It’s a good idea but how are we going to police it?”

Community and conservation office Beck Baker said: “Our wardens are already talking to people and advising them about the problems that drones can cause.”