SPRAY paint doesn't damage concrete - and that's the problem for Redditch councillors.

For county council workmen, who used to clean rude words from the town's subways, have now been taken off the job.

The reason - graffiti "has no detrimental effect upon the structure".

And under the control of the Pollution Act, taking writing off the wall is a Redditch Borough Council responsibility.

Now Hereford-Worcester and borough council chiefs are to discuss sharing the job between them.

Acting chief technical officer for Redditch, Mr Brian Close, said: "There are about 80 subways in Redditch.

"Quite apart from the cost of cleaning them there is the problem that if we start cleaning property which doesn't belong to us - and the subways belong to the county - we may be taking on a massive responsibility for all buildings.

"Obviously we want to discuss these difficulties before we take on the job."