UNSIGHTLY wheelie bins stored at the front of terraced houses like "rows of plastic Daleks" are spoiling the way Worcester looks.

That was the message from city councillors who have agreed to investigate alternative collection arrangements to prevent the bins becoming a blot on the cityscape.

One couple affected is John Godby and Cindy Taylor, who have to store their bins in the tiny front garden at their home in Lansdowne Road, Rainbow Hill, because there is no back access.

Mr Godby said: "We have to leave them outside the front otherwise we'd have to pull them through the hall, the lounge then the kitchen and a downstairs toilet to the back door.

"There used to be flowers but they are just crushed because the bins have to stay there."

Sandra Bramston, of Southfield Street, Arboretum, once entered her home for a best-decorated front of house contest but says she can no longer make it attractive because of the wheelie bins.

She said: "It's unsightly. It detracts from the value of the house. We see them every time we look out of the window and they do smell, despite bagging rubbish and keeping them clean.

"We used to plant roses and shrubs every spring and we had two hanging baskets out there. They are covered in weeds now. Why bother?"

Mrs Bramston's home also has no back access and she said leaving the bins at the front meant people sometimes put items into them.

The issue of bins being permanently on display in front of homes was raised during an opposition debate at a city council meeting on Tuesday, April 22.

Proposing that the council's waste management working party look at the issue, Coun Mark Bayliss said: "People living in terraced properties are faced with two large smelly bins right outside their doors. Gone are the hanging baskets, replaced by rows of plastic Daleks."

Coun Paul Denham said: "I feel ashamed to enter the Arboretum wards. I wouldn't want to live there."

Coun Sue Askin said there was no reason why wheelie bins could not be collected from behind homes, where possible.

However, Margaret Layland said every area was already dealt with on its own merits, with some terraced homes in her ward allowed to use bags.

Simon Geraghty said the debate was a waste of time because the working party was investigating the issue.

All councillors except one voted in favour of the motion. Coun Askin abstained because of her position as the chairman of the working party.