A PICTURESQUE village had to pull out of the prestigious Britain in Bloom contest because of mess left by Severn Trent workmen, it has been claimed.

John Quinn, from Cutnall Green, says the place is now an eyesore after workers for the water company left rubble-filled holes in June after completing their work.

He said the village - which won awards in the Britain in Bloom contests in 1997 and 1998 - had to abandon this year's competition bid because of the mess.

"We had a good chance of doing well during this year's contest," said the 57-year-old.

"The area's been dug up and is a mess. Something should be done about it. Why should we have to live with it?

"Because of the terrible state of the pavement, with rocks and stones everywhere, villagers can't keep the area tidy.

"They've trashed both ends of the village and they should make sure someone puts it right."

The gardener and handyman for Droitwich Spa Town Council also attacked Wychavon District Council for failing to maintain the village.

He claims council officials ordered him to remove flower tubs he put on the former petrol station forecourt on the A442 to stop lorries parking dangerously.

"The council is useless," he said.

"They never bother to cut hedges or look after the village and then tell me my flowers, which complement the area, have to go because I don't have permission. But they told me I could put them there in the first place".

Geoff Cox, unit manager at the Highways Partnership, said officers would inspect hedges and instruct contractors to cut them if necessary.

But he added he would also be asking Severn Trent to return the grass around the work site to a condition where the grass could be cut.

Severn Trent spokesman Steve Hodgson said the workmen had not finished the work as quickly as they should but it had now been finished.

However, he added, it was now down to the local authorities or the owner of the site to finish the work.

"We were laying a connection for three houses and we apologise for the work not being finished as quickly as we would've liked," he said.