PILES of beer cans cascading down the banks of a canal running through Worcester have been described as an "eyesore" and are concerning environmentalists.

At regular intervals, cans are piled up beside the Worcester and Birmingham canal next to the footbridge and lock at the bottom of Sydney Street, Gregory's Mill Street and Gregory's Bank, Barbourne.

Janet Wells, of Blanquettes Street, Barbourne, said she walks her dog along the canal towpath every day and has seen the number of cans increase.

She said: "It started off before Christmas. I'm sick of it. It's not like it's half a dozen cans - there are a lot."

She said she did not know who the culprits were but said something needed to be done before the tourist season started.

"People in narrowboats will be popping up and down the canal soon and it's a terrible eyesore," she said.

"It's dreadful. I don't know who it is but they have really annoyed me."

Worcester City Council said the land was the responsibility of British Waterways, but nothing had been done about the litter even though Mrs Wells had phoned the organisation a number of times.

"I'm fed up of ringing up," she said. "It's very much a personal battle now."

However, James Cooper from the Duckworth Trust, said the cans would be picked up next week as a part of its Rubbish? Sort It! campaign taking place between Wednesday, March 28, and Friday, March 31.

He said: "There's quite often a collection of litter there. It is terrible. Any litter is a concern for the environment. It will definitely get picked up."

Nobody from British Waterways was available for comment.

Anybody who wants to take part in the three-day litter clear-up of the canal should call the Pump House Environment Centre on 01905 730600.