ALCESTER councillors have been given until mid-January to make a decision on whether to take control of the problematic dog walking area.

Stratford Council has thrown down the gauntlet and offered the town council £3,000 for them to take over the land next to the Trades and Labour Club and given them a January 13 deadline to make a decision.

If the council decides to take it on, they will be responsible for looking after the site and its upkeep.

Town Council clerk Derrick Ward said: "The district council has increased its offer from £500 to £3,000 but this is a one-off contribution.

"They have offered us a small area of the dog walking area. After that, we will be responsible for clearing the land and dealing with complaints from townsfolk."

But not all councillors were happy with taking over the land, which in recent times has been a hiding place for youngsters.

Deputy Mayor Chris Gough: "We've tried all along to do this in partnership with Stratford but it's not been our responsibility - they've now put us in this very invidious position.

"I'm very, very unhappy about this. As much as I want to see this land cleared we can't take it on without help from Stratford.

"This is not fair, this is meant to be a partnership.

"I'm very much against taking up what Stratford has just dropped. We need some help on this."

Councillor John Bunting said: "I think it would be better if everybody went across and looked at what is happening there.

"We can form some sort of idea of what we can do there and then make a decision."

Councillors have reserved their decision to discuss the proposals further.