UPTON-upon-Severn's famous old church tower could soon be shrouded in scaffolding, two years after external renovation was promised.

Work on the tower, known locally as the Pepperpot, was delayed by the foot-and-mouth disease crisis, although Malvern Hills District Council had set aside money for the work in 2000.

It could not go ahead without approval from English Heritage, who needed to inspect the building, but did not carry out any site inspections during while foot-and-mouth restrictions were in force.

Now the inspection has been completed and Upton Town Council has been told that work can start as soon as the district council's workload permits.

"People are fed up with being told the work is going to be done. Let's write and ask for it to be carried out as soon as possible," said district councillor Mary Wilkinson.