A SCHEME to keep Worcestershire’s parishes clean and tidy has been recognised for its innovation after being shortlisted for a national highways award.

Worcestershire County Council’s parish lengthsman scheme, which was introduced in December, 2002, has been selected as one of three finalists in the most innovative highways authority project/scheme of the year category of the Excellence Awards from Highways magazine.

Some of the jobs carried out as part of the work include highway drainage maintenance and improvement works, snow clearance and gritting and removal of illegal fly-posting, with 98 per cent of all parish and town councils in the county taking part.

Councillor John Smith, county council cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “The parish lengthsmen do a fantastic job across Worcestershire, inc-luding Malvern.

“Sometimes what matters most to some communities can differ in others but by working in this way with parish and town councils it allows decisions to be made on minor highways maintenance spend at a local level. It’s a real example of how localism can work.

He said: “It is always good to receive national recognition and everyone that has played a part deserves a pat on the back.

“However, we’re as keen as ever to improve things even further if possible over the coming months and years.”

The scheme’s main objective is to improve highways standards by allowing local communities to make decisions about what matters most to them, allowing problems to be resolved sooner.

It delivers an estimated £330,000 of savings for the taxpayer each year.

The county council has been shortlisted alongside entries from Salford City Council and Blackpool Council and the winner will be announced on Thursday, October 11.