A LEADING Worcester councillor has severely criticised the state of St John's Cemetery - calling it "very disappointing".

Cllr Andy Roberts says the Christmas pile-up, which saw mounds of rubbish spilling from a large bin over the festive period, must not be allowed to happen again.

As the Worcester News reported yesterday, nearby resident Andrew Johnson took pictures of the mess after being horrified to find a wheelie bin overflowing.

The city council says the bin has now been emptied but Cllr Roberts, a former cabinet member responsible for the environment, has hit out at the mess.

He also says he is worried about the impact of potential job cuts in the council's cleaner and greener department - a move which follows a decision by the Labour leadership to abandon an old Tory proposal to outsource bin collections to the private sector with councils in Malvern and Wychavon.

"I'm worried that in an effort to show they are 'non-political' and reasonable, city councillors haven't provided sufficient challenge to a budget and forward plan proposals which will see the loss of 25 staff who care for our environment and a total loss of over 30 posts," he said.

"The leaders of the council are willing to make this sacrifice, rather than working in partnership with our neighbours.

"If our cemeteries suffer neglect it will be a case of history repeating itself.

"My hope is that what has been witnessed is an unfortunate event, but my fear is that it is an indicator of the lower standards which we can expect in the future."

The criticism has been refuted by the Labour administration, which insists service standards will not be affected by the job losses.

Up to 31 posts are under threat over the next three years, with all but six expected to come from the cleaner and greener service.

Cllr Jabba Riaz, cabinet member for clean, green and safe services, said: "The collection took place at St John's Cemetery the same day the story was published by the Worcester News.

"Understandably, over the Christmas period cemeteries are busier as more people visit their loved ones so naturally there will be more waste.

"But I am looking into what is happening there, to see whether something is going on that we've missed."

The council says the jobs under threat will be back office ones, with Cllr Riaz vowing to "protect the frontline".

Bosses are hoping natural wastage and voluntary redundancies will account for the reductions, but it equates to 12 per cent of the workforce.