A WORCESTER woman suffering from a degenerative disease was forced to sweep her own street after the council failed to keep it tidy.

Gillian Allen, who has difficulty walking due to her multiple sclerosis, spent more than three hours picking up the litter which had been strewn near her home - and in the process filling four big black bin liners.

The 58-year-old and her husband Cyril, of Rogers Hill, Rainbow Hill, were cheered on by neighbours and passers-by who told them they were "doing a good job - better than the council".

Mrs Allen said she grabbed for her brush and bin liners because she couldn't stand to see Lansdowne Lane turning into a rubbish tip despite the fact the work left her "absolutely shattered".

"I was so fed up looking at all the mess that I just decided to take action and improve the walkway - which now looks spotless - and everyone told us we did a wonderful job," she said.

"It wasn't just a matter of picking up beer cans and lollipop sticks but we even removed broken fencing and pruned back some bushes which had got out of hand.

"But I must admit all the work left me absolutely shattered.

"I have suffered from MS for 15 years and after looking after my mother and father I have not worked.

"We were told the council is supposed to tidy up the lane, but whenever they are in the area, they always seem to miss it out. It had become so neglected that we were spurred into action."

Mike Harrison, head of operational services at Worcester City Council, explained a staff shortage could have led to the mix-up.

"We've had to juggle a few rounds because we have had a shortage of people over the holiday period but we should be over the bulk of that now," he said.