RESIDENTS of Evesham's Waterside have welcomed a major tidy-up operation that has got underway on the banks of the Avon, according to Wychavon District Council.

As part of a £47,000 enhancement scheme for the town, heavy undergrowth and trees have already been cleared on the south side.

Views not seen in many years - including the Bell Tower, Crown Meadow and Abbey Park - have been opened up, leading to compliments from residents, said Wychavon's town centres officer, Lew Hammond. "It is pleasing to hear the many positive comments from Waterside residents and passers-by," he said.

The enhancement is the first phase of a three-year programme of work identified by the Evesham Market Town Partnership. An additional £47,000 will need to be raised for the next phase.

Four hundred metres of wall surrounding Workman Gardens are being refurbished. Some stretches of the wall required urgent work to prevent its collapse following last winter's heavy rain, which caused the river to flood on to the park seven times during the year.

Railings styled on those removed during the Second World War will be installed along 700 metres of Waterside.

Long-term landscaping plans include the setting up of a natural "wild stretch", to encourage wildlife. Corresponding information panels will also be introduced.

Wychavon's community partnership committee chairman, councillor Martin Jennings, said: "We are putting much energy into improving the town for residents, business community and visitors and uncovering some of the attractive aspects of the town, hidden over the years."

District councillor and town partnership committee chairman, David Noyes, said: "As well as the Waterside projects, the carillon on the Bell Tower will be operating again in the new year and two studies, on ways of exploiting the river Avon and the broadband information communications network, will soon be underway."

Some £11,000 is being sought for coloured lighting in Workman Gardens and there are plans to redevelop the front of the old Kwiksave building in Port Street to encourage retail business.