AN army of council workers have been out shovelling snow from Worcester City centre’s streets as Christmas shoppers scurried about buying last-minute gifts.

Teams spent large parts of yesterday shovelling snow from the centre of passageways into the sides and water was ‘hoovered’ up in a bid to stop people slipping on pavements.

Some shop owners praised the staff’s efforts. Caroline Gregory, owner of Cookmate in Broad Street, said: “It was so slippery for people at the weekend so it has really helped.”

The move was not welcomed by all, though.

Rodney Randle cleared the pavement outside his store, Quarter Jewellery – which was later targeted by thieves who got away with two rings worth about £17,000 – and a few other premises in The Shambles at 8am.

He had shovelled the snow into the middle of the street in a bid to give shoppers easier access to shop doorways.

About an hour later Mr Randle watched as council workers started shovelling the snow back towards the shop fronts he had cleared.

Malcolm Cox, operations manager at Worcester City Council, said he had told his teams to shovel snow on to pavements because he thought they were dangerous when slushy.

He said he saw a woman walk out of a shop and hit her head after slipping on the black block paving in Broad Street. Mr Cox said: “It’s like a skating rink.”

Mr Cox said he would talk to his staff to make sure they kept shop frontages clear.