CALLS are being made to improve Worcestershire's "shocking" pavements - with cracks, divots and uneven surfaces across the county.

Worcestershire County Council is being urged to up its spending on footways amid claims a budget of £840,000 is "ridiculously low".

Despite the tiny budget the total county network spans 1,972 miles and an in-house report back in 2008 put the backlog of repairs at a staggering £26 million.

Between 2001 and 2010 average footway spending was around £2 million per year in Worcestershire, and it was even upped to £3 million in recent years under a special programme to improve them.

But images show two of the worst ones today, in Defford Road and Apple Tree Road, Pershore, with Liberal Democrat Councillor Liz Tucker lamenting the current spending as "ridiculously low".

She said: "Safe footways are basics to everyday life and the inclusion of the elderly and disabled in social and community activities.

"I could spend all of this £800,000 on paths in my division alone - it is 60 per cent down on the £2 million that was spent between 2001 and 2010 annually.

"If this council is to achieve 'world class Worcestershire' we have to face up to this problem and finally sort out the footways."

Cllr Tucker, who leads the Lib Dem group at County Hall, has secured backing for a motion that the council will now "review" the budget to see if it can be increased.

She says she believes a third of Worcestershire's footpaths could need some improvements.

Councillor John Smith, the cabinet member for highways, says he is "sympathetic to the case" but has defended the recent record.

"Since 2010 this administration has spent £9.3 million on footways," he said.

"We are determined to do all we can to invest not only in highways, but footways - but it's a very difficult balance."

He said as the council had not yet finished the budget for 2015/16 there was time to look at it, adding that he was happy to support a review.

During the motion, which was debated in a full council meeting, the opposition Labour group abstained, saying it felt a review would be "meaningless".

It was passed 27 votes for, and none against.

* Have you seen worse pavements than these pictured in Pershore? Call us on 01905 742248 or email te@worcesternews.co.uk and we will feature them in the newspaper.