A RUN-down housing estate that is "dragging itself up by its bootlaces" should be given £30,000 to help make it a more pleasant place, a councillor has said.

At a meeting of Wychavon District Council's executive board, Councillor Roy Seabourne called for a £10,000 a year contribution from the council over the next three years to help refurbish the community hall and the area around the shops in Farmer's Way.

"We have given up on the idea that the council might buy the hall back but we could spend a limited amount on a facility which is not our own," said Coun Seabourne, who is also a Droitwich town councillor and chairman of the Westlands Community Forum.

"Westlands is dragging itself up by the bootlaces at a rapid rate, but £10,000 a year would make it an enormously better place. It could help reduce bad behaviour and make it a nicer place to shop.

"The centre is pretty decrepit and needs some attention. If we could promise £30,000 over three years and get the community involved it would be a very good self-help scheme."

Coun Seabourne was praised by other councillors for his work on the Westlands estate.

"The difference you have made down there is incredible," town and district councillor Terry Spencer told him.

"The recommendations you are putting forward I would wholeheartedly support."

And Audrey Steel added: "Roy Seabourne has worked extremely hard. It would not be the place it is now without him."

The council's executive board will now decide whether to include any money for the Westlands community in its latest budget.