WORCESTER News readers have been busy spotting the area's worst potholes. Our website has been inundated with comments from people voicing concerns over the state of the roads across Worcestershire.

After several complaints, we asked readers to log on www.WorcesterNews.co.uk and tell us where the potholes are - and received a huge response.

Among those to go online was Lucie, from Dines Green, Worcester, who said there was a large pothole outside her house on the junction of Rea Way and Drake Avenue.

Mrs Dodd, from Droitwich, said Tagwell Road in Droitwich was in the worst state she had seen in the 26 years she had lived there.

Hindlip Lane and Blackpole Road, Worcester, were also named, along with Wadborough Road in Littleworth, Tolladine Road and Sherriff Street.

Richard Pope, from Worcester, said: "I've lived where I live for nearly 50 years, in that time the road has never been repaired. Nearly every road you travel on in and around Worcester requires repairs."

Other complaints named stretches of road from Worcester to Tibberton and Droitwich, the A38 near the Copcut Elm pub in Droitwich, and Offerton Lane. One resident said holes in Tybridge Street had been filled in but were showing signs of returning to their previous state only days later. He said there was a huge pothole in Lowesmoor at the bottom of Rainbow Hill next to the chemist's and the Bridge Inn.

Summing up the troubles, a reader calling themselves Roadragedout said: "The state of some of the roads in the county leave a lot to be desired. The Hereford road from Worcester has been a nightmare! In fact, all of the roads in Worcester are pretty bad - for traffic, bottlenecking, parked cars, potholes and uneven surfaces."

In February, the Worcester News revealed a county council scrutiny committee said an urgent £40 million investment was needed for the county's roads and footpaths. The committee's report said most of Worcestershire's A roads were in good condition but compared with the rest of the country, the B, C and unclassified roads - which make up 88 per cent of the network - were in poor condition and without urgent investment the county would reach crisis point.

Jon Fraser, Worcestershire County Council's community and response manager, said improving footpaths and highways was a priority.

But he said, as well as the council's inspectors, staff relied on the public to let them know if there were issues on the county's roads.

"The feedback from the Worcester News is really useful and helps us identify problem areas we might not have been aware of," he said.

"Our officers are checking out all of the genuine-looking suggestions so that we can see if there's anything we need to do. It's only by trying to address these issues that we'll justify our rating as a good highways authority with good prospects for improvement."

The massive response comes as it was revealed on Friday more than a million road potholes are being filled nationally by councils every year, at a cost of £74 million.

But a report by the Asphalt Industry Alliance said it would take more than 11 years to clear the backlog.

Repairs are costly says angry motorist

ENDLESS bills caused by potholes on Worcester's roads are plaguing the life of a Warndon Villages resident.

Pauline Herman, aged 43, of Bamburgh Crescent, said she has had to fork out for countless sets of new tyres and work on her car after having to drive over potholes every day.

Ms Herman travels to work in Inkberrow and said Evesham Road in the village was the worst she had encountered.

"I have never got through so many sets of tyres before. I have got bills that go back to autumn - constant bills for new sets of tyres, constant tracking problems. I think it's outrageous," she said.

She said her other regular journeys included travelling to Longfellow Road from Bilford Road, where two huge potholes almost block the whole road.

"I have the same problems when I go to visit friends in Victoria Avenue and Albert Road. Everywhere I go, there's potholes," she said.

"They have got to be Worcester's worst roads - it's just absolutely ridiculous."

Ms Herman said the potholes caused hazards on the roads as drivers were forced to weave in and out to avoid them.

"They need to invest more money, something's got to be done. All they seem to do is come round with those ghostbuster backpacks, fill in a hole and then leave again," she said. "They do not seem to re-lay a road or do anything with the contours of the road - they just put a bit of tarmac into a hole and that's not solving the problem."

Councillor Derek Prodger, cabinet member for environment, said: "I try to make sure that where potholes are a risk we get to them as soon as we can."

He said Worcestershire County Council was planning on rolling out a programme of road surfacing, which would cover B and C roads, which are often residential, in the new financial year.

"I am going to be very proactive on road surfacing," Coun Prodger said.