A DIRTY war has been declared by Wyre Forest District Council in a vow to put its money where its mouth is in the fight to clean up the district.

The authority is preparing a war chest to rid the area of eyesores such as ugly, unsightly scrapheaps, shabby, derelict buildings, graffiti-ridden walls and dark, dingy subways - and it's all thanks to public pressure and the Shuttle/Times and News. District council leader Mike Oborski who is spearheading a Wyre Forest clean-up.

And the council wants people to have their say on long-term plans to improve the state of the district.

Authority leader Mike Oborski acknowledged a Shuttle/Times and News article highlighting the state of Kidderminster had acted as a catalyst for district-wide action.

He said: "We are grateful to the Shuttle for raising the issue and are determined to respond with long-term action.

"We are working on a tight budget but this is a key issue and money will be set aside in next year's budget to tackle this problem and make the district a cleaner, brighter, more attractive place.

"We recognise we can't ask other people to help unless we make an effort ourselves. If this time next year the area has not improved, people will have the right to give us a good kicking."

Mr Oborski stressed the authority needed public feedback on areas of concern and suggestions for improving the district.

He said: "If people think there is a particular problem that needs dealing with then we need to know. Very often people have good ideas but we don't hear about them.

"Each year Wyre Forest people visit all parts of the country and planet. They must have seen many different ways of dealing with litter, graffiti and in the general way a place looks. Again, we welcome as much feedback as possible."

Mr Oborski also threw down the gauntlet to his fellow 41 councillors to take on a project as part of the clean-up campaign.

The authority now awaits public feedback and is liaising with Government agencies on initiatives to brush up the area's image.

Mr Oborski said: "We would like to hear as many views as possible in the coming weeks in time to start planning the budget next month.

"This is not a scheme to clear up the district for 24 hours and then forget about it. This needs to be done day by day, month by month and year by year.

"The public have let us know something needs to be done and now is the time for their views to be known."

Anyone with suggestions should call Wyre Forest District Council on 01562 820505 or Mr Oborski on 01562 732167.

October 2000