WORKERS cleaning up an area of Redditch have discovered 62 hypodermic needles and bags of crystal-like substances just off a footpath leading to a supermarket.

The 'drugs den' was unearthed in a wooded area off Mickleton Close in Oakenshaw by Redditch Council landscaping contractors.

Ongoing work to revamp the close by cutting back shrubs and trees and clearing the area of rubbish is due to be completed in the next two weeks.

Work on the residential area began about five weeks ago and Mr Revans said a total of 36 tons of illegally-tipped material had been removed, costing the council almost £1,250.

A total of 5,657sq metres of shrubs and 282 trees will have been removed from the close by the end of the project.