CAMPAIGNERS want the council to fix a road which has been branded 'the worst street in Worcester for potholes'.

Residents think schoolchildren are at risk due to the potholes in Nunnery Lane, between Hazewood Close and Hillery Road.

But council bosses say it is the responsibility of locals to repair the street, which is a private 'unadopted' road.

Jan Jarvis, chairman of the Spetchley Road Residents' Association, said: "There's always been a problem with the condition of this road.

"I would say it's the worst street in Worcester for potholes.

"I'd like to see the council take responsibility. In this day and age that stretch of road would cost a bomb to repair."

Ms Jarvis said the street was originally a rough track leading to a farm and was not intended to be a through road to houses.

She added that it was unrealistic to expect residents to pay for the huge repair bill.

Andrew Robinson, aged 70, of Kilbury Drive, Worcester, said: "It's an absolute disgrace and an accident waiting to happen.

"Cars shoot up there [Nunnery Lane], see a pothole and swerve to the side.

"It's constantly used with kids going up and down. I'm worried. I've got grandchildren that walk to Nunnery Wood High School.

"No one seems to be doing anything about it. It needs sorting before someone gets injured."

County councillor Pat Agar, who represents the area, has asked how much it will cost to repair the road.

She said: "I'd really like it if it could be adopted, it's been the bane of my life.

"I don't think there should be any unadopted roads around.

"I do worry about the fact that it's a road to two schools. You never know whether there's going to be an accident."

The councillor added that she might be able to pay for the repairs out of her divisional funds - if the cost is low enough.

She said Alan Amos, the cabinet member for roads, told her the street would have to be in good order before it could be adopted by the council.

Cllr Amos said: "Unadopted roads are the responsibility of the residents, if the county council came in to repair this one - for which it has no responsibility - it would be the direct cost of not doing a road for which the county is responsible and that's an improper use of public money and I would not authorise it."