ANGRY traders and shoppers are up in arms after cracks have started appearing in Worcester's High Street - months after completion of a £1.3m makeover.

Andy Walford, highways partnership manager for Worcester with Worcester-shire County Council, said he noticed the cracks in the mortar along the High Street a week ago.

It came to light after he arranged for remedial works there following reports of several new paving slabs that appear to have come loose.

The High Street refurbishment - completed last May - went over budget, with some of the big stores claiming the disruption drove hordes of shoppers away.

The work also suffered months of setbacks - taking three times as long as predicted - with marks and dents also appearing on the surface shortly after it was laid. One hundred yards of street were also taken out of the original plans after contractors warned they didn't have enough cash for the job. Now, angry traders and shoppers have turned on the council over the latest chapter in the long-running-saga, saying the work should have been carried out properly initially.

Susannah Newsome, senior sales adviser with WH Peplow Jewellers, said the worst area was near The Cross. She added: "It seems to have been a big waste of money really.

"The concept was nice but it's a shame it hasn't really lasted five minutes."

Fifty-three-year-old Rod Grundy, of Hanley Swan, said: "Obviously one doesn't appreciate tripping up on a crack in the street.

"If cracks are appearing then some work has been done which is of poor quality."

River Island manager Jenny Ripley said it would affect trade if workmen had to return and barricade off areas to carry out repairs.

She defended suggestions the damage may have been caused by delivery vehicles parking outside shops to drop off goods.

She said: "I just feel a proper job should have been done in the first place and surely they should take into consideration delivery lorries use it."

WHSmith manager Jim Lowe said: "Obviously we're disappointed because surely it should last a while. I just hope they don't disrupt the place again like they did last year putting it right because it was terrible."

Mr Walford said he was arranging a meeting with project consultants Halcrow and contractors Alun Griffiths to establish the cause and the contractors would be responsible for picking up the bill of any necessary works.

He said: "Obviously we're concerned, which is why we've organised the meeting but until the outcome of that's known I can't give any further statement."