Calls for lasting tribute to Sylvia Russell to be put in place

Floral tributes and wreaths had been gathering outside Argos in the Shambles in Worcester city centre since Sylvia Rosemary Russell, of Dent Close, died on September 29, but they have now been cleared away.

Members of the public and people working in the nearby shops left tributes to Miss Russell, who was "kind and caring", according to her close friend, Len Presley.

Although mystery currently surrounds who is responsible for clearing away the tributes, Mr Presley, who lives in Bransford, said he believes a lasting tribute should be put in place to the 69-year-old.

"Every time I walked past Argos the tributes were building and building, and although it was nice to see, it came to a point where the dead flowers were blowing across the street and it started to look a bit of a mess. But I definitely think some lasting tribute should be in place to remember Sylvia. She should not be forgotten," he said.

"Perhaps a plaque could be placed somewhere in the Shambles, so that people can go there and pay tribute."

A spokesman for Worcester City Council said the council "would support plans to leave a lasting memorial" to Miss Russell if anyone came forward with an idea.

Grant Hinton contacted your Worcester News after he noticed the tributes had been removed.

He said: "How come people can leave flowers on the side of the road to remember (people) by, then when something like this happens they take them away. I feel people should be allowed to leave the flowers to remember Sylvia by just like any other accident on the roads."

A spokesperson for Argos said: "Argos offers its deepest sympathies to anyone affected by the tragic incident which took place in Worcester.

"As the land outside of the Argos store in the Shambles is owned and maintained by the local

council, we have contacted them to ask for guidance on the policy for ongoing floral tributes left on

council property, so that we can advise any customers appropriately."