TALENTLESS, begging buskers could soon be banned from Worcester's streets if a new scheme is given the go-ahead.

The idea of a badge scheme is being considered in a city council review of street entertainers.

Although the proposal is at a primary stage, it is thought badges would be a way of registering genuine musicians.

Members of the city's licensing committee met to address the problem of bogus buskers earlier last week.

"Some of the busking in Worcester is atrocious and disgusting," said Councillor Ian Imray.

"There's a very fine line between being a good beggar and being a bad busker.

" It's to keep the police off their back."

Licensing committee chairman Coun David Clark said he was in favour of good buskers as they brightened up the city, dubbing them an "asset".

But he maintained some used busking to cover up the fact that they begged.

"I saw one busking in Mealcheapen Street. He had one crutch, and I wondered where the other had gone," he said.

"My wife later saw another busker in the station who had the other crutch.

Untidy

"We rely on tourists and visitors, and if they see a whole lot of people doing this, it harms the city and makes it look untidy.

"I'd like to see a busking badge introduced. The way to do it is to register them in some way."

Coun Mike Layland said he was embarrassed by the state of the Faithful City when he met up with friends from elsewhere in the Midlands at Worcester Cathedral for the Royal British Legion's Jubilee service earlier this month.

He said he and his friends were confronted by a string of busking beggars.

There is no statutory licensing requirement for street performers, but they are required to adhere to a code of practice governing noise levels and performance time.

Roy Fidoe, head of environmental health for the city council said school children, brass bands and musicians raising money for charity would be welcomed.

"We are told, on one hand, children and brass bands are OK, but people who are penniless are not," fumed Coun Richard Udall.

But Coun Clark insisted the committee was trying to ensure quality entertainment.

"If a penny whistle player is good, then we'll welcome him to the city," he said.

"It's not the intention of officers to target a certain section of society."

Members agreed to consider the badge scheme.