THE dirty state of Allendale’s roads has come in for criticism by the village’s parish council.

Pavements around Wentworth Place and Catton have been branded disgusting by councillors.

And now Coun. Geoff Lee has called on Northumberland County Council to clean up the mess or face further problems during heavy rain storms.

“They are so full of rubbish that after a heavy rain storm the drains are going to be full.”

Councillors also reconsidered plans for a crossing point on the B6303, which runs through the centre of Allendale.

The crossing could be located opposite the former Lloyds Bank, to help people struggling to negotiate the busy road.

However, chairman Coun. Robert Philipson warned that the county council had rejected calls for a crossing in the past.