INTERNET users will soon be able to log on and view a three-dimensional panoramic map of Worcester.

The Google Street View car has been driving around Worcester videoing our streets, ready for the images to be uploaded.

The car, which has a number of cameras and laser scanners attached to its roof and the Google logo emblazoned on the side, was taking photographs that will eventually be turned into a 360 degree ‘street view’ map.

Google’s online Street View maps let users virtually walk up and down streets around the world. Hundreds of major cities have been mapped since the feature was launched in 2007, including London, Birmingham, Coventry and Bristol.

A fleet of cars is now travelling around the UK covering more rural locations.

Russell Gardner, aged 51, recently spotted Google’s black Opel Astra at the junction of Malvern Road and Swanpool Walk in St John’s.

Mr Gardner, of Lansdowne Road, Worcester, was riding his bike at the time.

He said: “I’d stopped at the lights when it came past me. I stood up and waved, so I’m hoping that they got a picture of me.”

A spokesman for Google said it would take months to map the whole city.

She said: “We’ve got cars all over the country and we’re working hard to get as many new places mapped as possible. It generally takes a few months to photograph an entire area, depending on how many streets there are. It will then take a few more months to process the imagery and get it online.”The street view map has drawn controversy, with some groups believing it breaches privacy.

Anyone who does not want their house or photographs of themselves included can contact administrators by going to maps.google.com and clicking on the ‘report a problem’ link.