RESURFACING work on some Leominster pavements has alarmed a former mayor.

Molly Cooke is worried there could be another 'battle of the black stuff'.

Seeing unannounced work taking place in South Street where footways were being spread with 'black stuff', Mrs Cooke fears a repeat of a disaster 10 years ago when she was the town's mayor.

She protested after county highways workmen spread a black coating on to dirty pavements, including heavily-used paths in West Street and Grange Walk.

"They went right over everything. Dog pooh and bits of chewing gum were covered as if preserved for all time! "said Mrs Cooke.

As it turned out, the coating was not so durable. Within weeks it was chipping and showing signs of wear.

Town and county councillor John Thomas sounded optimistic last week over the standard of the current work on Leominster pavements.

He told the town council a new, experimental procedure was being tried out.

"It's not the same black stuff that caused the problems before. I understand there has been an advance in technology," he said.

However, Mr Thomas conceded: "The proof of the pudding will be in the eating."

l A county highways spokesman told The Hereford Times a 'slurry sealing trial' was being carried out on pavements at South Street and Hereford Road, Leominster and at Kingsland.

It was hoped there would be no problems this time around.

"We're using a different mix with a special fibre added. It's greatly improved and the footways are being levelled up first," the spokesman added.