IN years to come they might write the Ballad of the Wheelie Bins.

It would tell the tale of how the streets of our towns and cities were invaded by ugly plastic aliens; of how they had a Pied Piper effect on vermin; of how they disappeared from doorsteps once every fortnight.

And it might revere the brave souls who took on and beat the "plastic Daleks" and returned our streets to their once pristine state.

It is a fantastical idea for a subject that is fast approaching farcical status.

Worcester's wheelie bins might - just might - be about to disappear from in front of some terraced houses in the city.

Residents say they are smelly, unsightly and are devaluing their houses.

Now city councillors are to look at alternative methods of waste collection.

This will become a never-ending story unless someone at the council is brave enough to risk their political reputation by taking a decision and sticking to it.

Wheelie bins can be found across the country.

Some areas have had them for more than a decade.

Worcester should either have them or not. Halfway houses will do nothing more than create resentment and division.

Our fear, however, is that the uncertainty over how and when waste will be collected in Worcester is likely to rumble onwards because councillors are more concerned with their political futures than with making definitive decisions.