UPTON is being short-changed over policing, according to town councillor Eric White.

Speaking at a meeting on Tuesday, Coun White said he was not satisfied that a community support officer and street scene warden could meet the town's needs.

CSO Emma Burrows, of West Mercia Police, began work last week, acting as a point of contact between police and community and dealing with minor crime.

Upton is also to have a street scene warden, employed by Malvern Hills District Council and responsible for issues such as litter, graffiti and anti-social behaviour.

Coun White said neither will patrol after 10pm nor have the power to issue parking fines, a job previously undertaken by the town's traffic warden.

"The problem in Upton is parking on double yellow lines and if it's not their job, who's going to do it?" he said, "We've lost our traffic warden and told she's not going to be replaced, so who's going to make sure people are parking properly in Upton and not causing a hazard?

"We also need some presence here after 10pm, particularly on Friday and Saturday night. The trouble doesn't start till 10pm.

"I feel Upton, again, is being short-changed."

District councillor Mary Wilkinson said she was delighted by the new posts and felt they would make a significant difference.

"We have been granted two people dedicated to Upton and I think that's quite a good step forward," she said.

The issue is to be discussed further at the annual town meeting at the Memorial Hall at 7.30pm on Tuesday.