A KIDDERMINSTER trader is hoping to overturn a ban stopping her putting up hanging baskets outside a town shopping centre.

Sandra Wolfenden, of Natural Break in Blackwell Street, said traders used to be able to hang baskets all round the outside of the Swan Centre but they were banned amid fears they might drip water and people would slip on the pavements.

The restaurant manager is hoping, however, the ban might be lifted in a bid to spruce up the rundown area of the town, which she described as like a "prison".

She said: "We used to hang lots of colourful hanging baskets outside the shops in the Swan Centre but we had to take them down around four years ago because of concerns over health and safety.

"I still put artificial ones outside but it would be lovely to bring back the potted plants and hanging baskets outside the shops. It looks like a prison around here, with all the dark buildings, and is dirty."

Swan Centre's acting manager, Ros Darby, confirmed the current situation meant there were health and safety problems with hanging baskets. She said the matter was brought up at the Blackwell Street Revival Group meeting and would be discussed with the centre's managing agents.