POTHOLES in one of Upton-upon-Severn's well-used thoroughfares cannot be mended by Worcestershire County Council, because it is an unadopted road.

Members of the town council were surprised to learn that Price's Lane had never been adopted.

"There are signs prohibiting various activities and it is used every day by hundreds of school children," said John Thompson. "Who puts up the signs if it is a private road?"

Simon Wilkinson said it was a public right-of-way and therefore controlled by Worcestershire County Council, although it had not been officially adopted.

"They would only adopt it if it was brought up to standard first," he said.