ENGINEERS have pledged 'substantial completion' of the High Street by the next bank holiday - three weeks away.

It is the latest proposed finish date after months of setbacks and comes after war veterans had to change the route of their VE Day march through the city because of the work.

Leading engineer on the project, Andy Walford, said that all but 'a few odds and sods' would be cleared away by the end of the month.

"We are looking to make a substantial completion before the May bank holiday," he said.

"Most of the guys will disappear, the fencing will have gone and to all intents and purposes it will be finished."

On Sunday, the Royal British Legion planned to parade down the High Street to a Cathedral service, but the uneven tarmac made it difficult for wheelchair-bound veterans, who had to take a detour.

John Hewlett, RBL branch president , was disappointed they could not take the salute of the Mayor of Worcester as they passed the Guildhall.

"We've been marching through the High Street for years and years and it was a real shame we couldn't follow the usual path," said the 89-year-old.

Mr Walford said he had not been contacted about the march but would have advised an alternative route in any event.

"Trying to parade through a building site is not an ideal situation," he said.

"It was always going to be a difficult job - like trying to decorate the kitchen on Christmas Day. You can close off almost every other area to the public except the High Street." The project is due to finish eight months behind schedule.