THE state of pavements and footpaths is being improved, according to Worcestershire County Council.

According to the authority's figures, less than half - 45.9 per cent - of footways it is responsible for are in need of repair.

That represents a 27 per cent drop on the previous year's 62.79 per cent.

Council chiefs expect to see further improvement, having approved a £250,000 investment in refurbishing its pavements and footpaths.

Nick Twaite, highway works manager, said: "This is pleasing news but we still have a long way to go.

"The recent extra spending will, hopefully, enable the current state of the county's footpaths to further improve and we will continue to work to achieve this."

Members of the county council's cabinet were told of the figures, which form part of the authority's corporate plan key indicators to improve community safety.