TIME is running out for Wyre Forest people to sound off about the litter and grime hotspots blighting their area.

The "Grime Line", being run by Wyre Forest District Council as part of the joint "Grime's a Crime" campaign with the Shuttle/Times & News, is only operating for another nine days.

District folk have until June 30 to call 0800 085 2330 to register complaints about shabby eyesores they would like to see tackled.

Fifty calls have been logged since the launch of the line a month ago - and Kidderminster is vying hard for the unwanted title of shabbiest town in the district with 80 per cent of callers turning the spotlight on it. Fourteen per cent of calls related to Stourport, four per cent Bewdley and two per cent related to other outlying rural areas.

Examples of recent eyesores that have been tackled include grass cuttings dumped near the Bewdley bypass and a play area in Layamon Walk, Stourport, which has been tidied up.

Mr Trickett said the council would be announcing a customer services number for people to call with complaints about eyesores when the Grime Line has finished.

But Simon Trickett, of the council's cultural, leisure and commercial services department, urged more people to call in and have their say. Half of all calls to the hotline have led to successful action, while "another 10 per cent" are in hand.

The next stage of the campaign will see residents, businesses, groups and young people being encouraged to take part in community litter-picks organised by district councillors in each ward.

Alison Braithwaite, of the environmental health division, said: "These are being planned for July and we hope to engage as many local people as possible to help."

She can be contacted for an entry form by anyone interested in taking part on 01562 732792.

In the coming months the council aims to target flyposting, replace street name signs across the district, improve the design of its recycling centres, provide more dog litter bins and sign businesses up to a voluntary code of practice regarding waste.

Manned street sweepers for Bewdley, Kidderminster and Stourport town centres are also due for an imminent launch.