A SPECIAL machine could be bought to help rid Worcester's streets of the menace of chewing gum.

City councillors were due to decide tonight between a series of options to get rid of gum stuck to paving stones and tarmac.

The council has investigated three options to clean up the city after complaints were made about the filthy state of the streets.

Chewing gum is only one of the problems, which also include pigeon droppings, cigarette ends and other rubbish.

A review team on street cleaning has reported that if Worcester "is to remain a centre attractive to visitors and shoppers, it has to tackle these issues now".

One choice is to have a large-scale one-off removal at the end of the year and then set up a team to deal with the problem for the following two years.

Another is to set up a team for the whole three years with a leased machine, and the other is to buy the machine.

Councillors were due to hear how the first option would have a more immediate impact, but would take place over the busiest shopping time of the year.

Officers recommended buying a machine, at a cost of £15,430, which would solve the problem more gradually but would not interfere with Christmas shopping.

A final decision was set to be made at tonight's executive board meeting at the Guildhall.