SUPERMARKET bosses have been called 'negligent' after tubs of stolen paint were spilt over 'abandoned trolleys' near a busy zebra crossing.

But Tesco bosses said they acted quickly to clean up the mess next to the Tesco Superstore zebra crossing by Vetch Field Avenue in Warndon Villages.

However, a man who reported the spillage said staff at the Tesco store should have taken more responsibility for the mess after they were told about it.

It is understood the spill happened on Friday (December 8) after the theft of paint from the Worcester Warndon Superstore.

Tesco confirmed it cleared the spill with the help of a specialist cleaner and worked hard to keep stores clean and tidy.

Cllr Andrew Cross, the Green county councillor, was among those to report the mess and said he received a prompt response from the city council and Tesco.

The resident, who did not wish to be identified, said he reported the spillage at 4.05pm on November 9. We understand Worcester City Council has now cleaned up the paint.

A Vetch Field Avenue resident said: "I have spoken to Tesco Superstore today and the Customer Service representative, whilst friendly, was unable to advise if Tesco had undertaken to report the spillage to the Highways Authority.

MESS: The spill near Tesco in Warndon Villages at Vetch Field Avenue in Warndon in WorcesterMESS: The spill near Tesco in Warndon Villages at Vetch Field Avenue in Warndon in Worcester (Image: Supplied)

"It invited me to do so. A disappointing exercise of responsibility by Tesco, given its awareness of the spillage and its efforts to clean the spillage at the exit of the footpath, which is on its land.

"I have reported the spillage to the Highways Authority and the elected members for both the parish, district and county council. Tesco has a responsibility to report the spillage to the Health and Safety Executive. I am unaware if it has done so.

"More than one tub of paint appears to have ruptured as there is a spillage cornered off in Tesco at the exit of the footpath, adjacent to the zebra crossing and there are trolleys covered in paint abandoned on the public highway, as reflected in the photographs.

SPILLAGE: The tubs of paint on the Tesco site in Warndon Villages in WorcesterSPILLAGE: The tubs of paint on the Tesco site in Warndon Villages in Worcester (Image: Supplied)

"The paint is wet, and there are footprints leading from it. Wildlife is also likely to be adversely affected. No effort has been made by Tesco to mitigate the risk the paint poses on the public highway.

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"If it is concerned by what action it might take, then as a minimum, it may have placed a warning sign on the public highway, or on the public footpath, which it is responsible for maintaining. Instead, it has left the abandoned trolleys covered in paint and the broken tub of paint on the public highway. I consider that to be negligent."

"Given the established relationship between Tesco and the Parish and District Councils in particular, I have made representation to the elected members in hope that representation can be made regarding the importance of Tesco's commitment to the environment, and the value of being a good neighbour."

A spokesperson for Worcester City Council confirmed that the spillage was cleared on Monday after they were alerted by Worcestershire County Council.

A Tesco spokesperson said: “Our colleagues work hard to keep our stores clean and tidy and, with the help of a specialist cleaner, have cleaned up paint spill in the car park of our Worcester Warndon Superstore. We apologise for the inconvenience.”