TOWN leaders want to crack down on people who abandon shopping trolleys around the Spa.

Droitwich Spa Town Council is concerned about the number of carriers being dumped in the town's streets and canals.

Council leader Cllr Pam Davey (Con, Droit.South) said: "These trolleys are worth around £100 each.

"If people were walking into the supermarkets stealing £100 worth of goods, retailers would clamp down on them.

"The problem is that the customers end up paying for these costs through the goods we buy.

"Ultimately, supermarkets must realise trolleys are causing us problems."

Cllr Frank Payne (Lab, Droit.West) suggested the council employed someone to collect dumped trolleys and then charge supermarkets a retrieval fee.

Kwik Save, off the Saltway, charges customers £1 to borrow a trolley which is refunded on its safe return.

A company spokeswoman said: "Usually people are keen to get their pound back and we find this scheme prevents trolleys from disappearing."

The council agreed to discuss the problem further with Wychavon District Council and Safeway.

A Safeway spokesman said: "The theft of trolleys is a very thorny issue.

"While we understand that some of our customers may have trouble getting their goods home, the cost of replacing trolleys gives us great concern - it's senseless vandalism."

He vowed to investigate the worries raised by Spa councillors.