LITTER in Warndon Villages in Worcester is "totally awful" and environment rangers say they are fighting a losing battle to keep the area tidy.

Environment warden Kevin Jenkins says the problem has deteriorated in the two months he has been in the job.

Worcester City Council has cleared rubbish in Offerton Lane near the Worcester and Birmingham Canal, which has blighted the area for more than 10 years, but residents say illegal tipping and reckless throwing of rubbish is ruining the area.

Warndon Parish Council is considering hiring out litter-picking sticks to people who are disgusted about the state of the place and walk round the area on a regular basis.

Mr Jenkins said: "We have an horrendous problem and it's getting worse by the day.

"People throw rubbish in the streets in the Third World. I can't understand why they are doing it in Warndon Villages.

"The situation is totally awful because as soon as the litter's cleared it's back within hours."

Mr Jenkins said he wanted to put up signs to warn people that litter louts could be prosecuted.

Parish council member Yvonne Griffiths said there was a particular problem on the main roads and the towpath of the canal to the north of Warndon Villages.

"It seems as though people think nothing of throwing bottles and papers out of their cars, it's really getting out of hand," she said.

Mrs Griffiths said the problem on the canal towpath was giving a bad image to people entering Worcester by boat.

However, Offerton Lane, which runs along the canal and has previously been described as "looking like Beirut" has been cleared up after many years of fly-tipping.

Head of Operational Services at Worcester City Council Mike Harrison said it was a success story.

"We used to have to clear it once a month. It cost £1,000 a time and as soon as it was cleared, the problem returned," he said.

"The first phase of the clearing is complete and we hope to re-open the path to the canal.

"We have got to get the message across that we now have the power to prosecute people, or confiscate their vehicles, if the rubbish is traced back to them."

Warndon Village's Environment Warden Kevin Jenkins said it was time penalties were imposed on the business sector.

"Businesses obviously benefit from their position in Warndon Villages but they don't contribute as much as residents and volunteers do in cleaning the mess."

Paul Pearce, chairman of the British Cleaning Council agreed.

"With late-night litter on the increase, cleaning has become a 24-hour operation and I would like to see pubs and clubs put their hand in their pocket and pay to help us remove the rubbish," he said.