DROITWICH Spa High Street needs its smelly Victorian sewage system brought into the 21st century, a town councillor has claimed.

Terry Spencer, a representative for Droitwich town and Wychavon district councils, is kicking up a stink about the old-fashioned sewage system.

"Worcester used to have a Victorian sewage system but they had it replaced years ago."

Cllr Spencer (Con-South West) has been trying to get Severn Trent to do something about the system since 1994.

The bad stench was one of the reasons he shut up his shop - Spatronics - in the High Street as it caused him headaches and dizziness.

However, he has recently received a lot more complaints about the smell and decided to continue the campaign to finally get something done about it.

He says the stench is made worse by the fact the sewage system has been built on top of salt and sand and also by the opening and closing of the High Street in years gone by.

In 1996 Severn Trent said they would look into the matter but nothing was done. In recent correspondence with Cllr Spencer they have once again agreed to investigate the matter, but he is not satisfied.

"We are no better off than back in 1996. Something needs to be done," said Cllr Spencer, who has the backing of Droitwich MP Peter Luff.

He said that until the sewage system is replaced or relined there could be no worthwhile decision on whether the High Street should be pedestrianised.

Caroline Hosie, spokeswoman for Severn Trent Water, said they had met with Wychavon District Council on October 15 to discuss the matter.

She said the following action was being taken:

l Wychavon District Council's highways unit to look at their drains.

l Environmental Health department to visit restaurants and takeaways in the High Street to check they have the correct fat and grease extractors.

l Severn Trent to check if there is any silt blocking the drains.

"Once we have completed this investigation work then we can decide the best course of action," she said.