A LENGTHSMAN could soon be employed in Kempsey to help keep the verges and ditches tidy.

The parish council has set aside £1,440 towards the scheme and is hoping to get a grant from Worcestershire County Council to employ someone for one day per week.

After successful pilot schemes in Martley and other parishes, the county council has allocated £100,000 to help 50 parishes employ their own lengthsmen, at an average cost of £2,000 per parish.

"It is initially for a 12-month period, which is renewable," said council chairman Joy Clee, at this week's meeting of the parish council.

"We are a large parish and we have allowed some money towards this, so we could ask them to make it up to £4,000, enough to employ someone for 30 hours per month," said Mrs Clee.

The alternatives would be to reduce the number of hours, or enter into a partnership with other parishes, she said.