A resident in Swindon has vented his frustration at the sight of overgrown weeds and vegetation outside many shops in the town centre.

The overgrown vegetation also seems to be a hotspot for people to drop their litter, including bottles and food packets, which accumulates around the town centre.

Steve Graham said: “I spent yesterday morning cleaning and weeding around my offices in commercial road, I was amazed when I looked around to see the state of pathways and weeds around every shop and office and all the outside of houses."

He said that it "makes the streets and town centre a bigger mess than it already is".

The issue is hard to regulate as shops, businesses and homeowners are responsible for de-weeding and tidying up the front of their premises and nothing can really be done to make sure they stay on top of this vital maintenance. 

Swindon Borough Council already look after 31 large planters in the town centre and plan to install more as part of the Fleming Way improvement work.

The council has been approached for comment.