A CIVIC stalwart has criticised council chiefs for allowing 'ugly' scaffolding to remain in the town centre for months.

Halifax set up the scaffolding outside its branch in Graham Road, Malvern, to enable repairs to the building.

Some locals have blasted it as an eyesore and Severn Trent Water has been unable to fix a water leak in the street because of the structure.

But Worcestershire County Council said it had to extend the scaffolding licence after it became apparent that further work was needed.

Roger Sutton, vice president of Malvern Civic Society, said: "The day to day administration of pavement scaffolding lies with the county council officers who issue monthly licences.

"Their work is directed by elected councillors. Our elected councillors are hardworking...[but] as a generalisation, they do not represent their constituents.

"The problem with the scaffolding has been taken up with councillors at all levels on several occasions over the past three months."

Mr Sutton said the person in charge of scaffolding at the county council had been contacted several times over the past three months in an effort to remove the eyesore.

Despite his complaints, the civic society leader praised Halifax for carrying out the renovations.

His son Jeremy Sutton, who runs the Great Malvern Hotel, in Graham Road, said: "There's been a lot of people complaining about it. It's a horrendous waste of water."

Sara Morris, who owns Rhubarb Home, also in Graham Road, previously described the scaffolding as 'ugly' and a 'blight on the landscape'.

A spokesman for Worcestershire County Council said: "In this case, the building on Graham Road was found to need more extensive work to maintain its structural integrity.

"An initial scaffold licence was extended to enable repair work to take place at cost to the landowner.

"We appreciate the inconvenience this causes local residents and traders but the county council has to ensure the building is safe."

The spokesman confirmed that the council works with local people and businesses to ensure that roads and paths are safe.

They added that the council enables work to take place, while landowners are responsible for keeping properties safe.