NOW that the floodwater has finally receded from the streets of Worcester, the big clean-up has begun.

Worcester City Council deployed about seven workers to hose down the muddy pathways running along the Severn yesterday after about two weeks of being underwater.

Mike Harrison, head of the council's cleaner and greener department, said it was important to do the work while the mud and silt is still wet.

"You have got get it at the right time before it sets too hard," he said. "We have had to manoeuvre our resources to clear it up. We will juggle people around, but unfortunately it might be there will be a bit more litter in other areas of the city but we will get back onto that as soon as we can."

Mr Harrison said the clean-up process started at South Quay yesterday and workers will tackle the pathways leading to Diglis, by Pitchcroft, and along Hylton Road, over the coming days.

He said he was hoping the work would be complete by the weekend and he hopes to bring in more pumps to get the job done quicker.