A CAMPAIGN has been launched to clear up our "deteriorating" city centre.

Members of the Worcester City Forum for Older People have been speaking to visitors, shopkeepers and residents with the aim of improving the city centre for all.

Brian Hunt, of Worcester City Forum for Older People, said: "After many years of hearing and experiencing the increasing problems with the deterioration in the overall cleanliness of the city centre, mainly due to the numbers of gulls and the associated mess they deposit, together with discarded food wrappers from the large numbers of takeaways Worcester City Forum for Older People are campaigning for a cleaner city centre.

"Although many feel that Worcester is a lovely city, sadly the condition of the pavements and buildings leaves a a lot to be desired.

"Perhaps owners of empty shops should be required to have their shopfronts cleaned and instead of dirty empty properties, window displays of a pleasant and happy nature could be displayed and even generate an income.

"We have been told by one shopkeeper who travels into the city at 5.30am that there is a gathering of some 30 to 40 gulls as if waiting to start their rampage of the city centre.

"Most traders we spoke to complained about the daily mess from the gulls as dangerous and disgusting.

"Next time you visit the town centre please look around and notice the deterioration from the filth expelled by the gulls and the food waste."

A City Council spokesman said: "The city council is committed to maintaining high standards on the city’s streets, ensuring Worcester remains an appealing place for residents, shoppers and visitors.

"Up to 10 Worcester City Council staff are in action every day from 5.30am to keep the city centre streets clean, with other teams at work in the residential areas. "They use equipment ranging from large sweeping machines to manual litter-picking equipment to clear away rubbish and to scrub the pavements.

"The current prolonged dry spell has highlighted the need to redouble our efforts, so in recent days we have been carrying out a deep clean, with all city centre streets being jet-washed to bring them back up to their normal high standard."

The City Council said it also invests £15,000 each year in work to control the gull population. This work includes replacing the birds’ eggs, campaigning to encourage people to dispose of their rubbish responsibly and an upcoming trial of gull-proof litter bins.

To report litter email www.worcester.gov.uk/report-it.