ENGINEERS are to cut back the High Street redevelopment to ensure it is finished by Remembrance Sunday.

About 75 yards of the £1.3m scheme will be left untouched when workmen finish in mid-November. The rest of the project will have to be completed next year, although no start date has yet been discussed.

Councillor Adrian Gregson, leader of the opposition Labour group at the city council, described the problem-hit scheme as "a bit of a dog's dinner".

"It should be the main artery of Worcester's retail centre and historic core and it's been an absolute nightmare for a couple of months. If it's going to go on even longer who is responsible?" he asked.

"If they are going to do the job, they have got to do it properly, otherwise there is no point doing it at all."

About 50 yards of the street from Bank Street - besides WH Smith and Debenhams - and St Swithins Street and about 25 yards from Copenhagen Street and Pump Street will not be finished before Christmas.

City council leader Stephen Inman said the decision was made because of concerns about the High Street's appearance during the Remembrance Day commemorations on Sunday, November 14.

"Why should we always say 'Oh, you got it wrong and made an error'. Ok, it's not happening as quickly as we would like but I hope people will see an overall improvement," he said.

The high-profile refurbishment, which has been criticised for being an eyesore and too noisy, has been dogged by setbacks.

First it was announced the work would not include around 100 yards up to the Elgar Statue and then the finish date was put back from September after tram tracks and cellars were unearthed.

under the street.