FORMER mayor of Petersfield, Ken Hick, is offering a special award for "grot-spots" in the town centre which are in need of cleaning up.

One of his favourite bête noires is the water feature created with the re-vamp of the Waitrose store in the centre of Petersfield.

Mr Hick has long believed that the water feature is overdue for a wash and brush up. When he was mayor of the town three years ago, he wrote to Waitrose expressing his disappointment at the state of the Drum Stream diversion.

"I have been patient and now the cleaning together with some necessary remedial work will start next Wednesday, I have been reliably informed," said a delighted Mr Hick this week.

But he is keeping a watchful eye on other eye sores in the town and has suggested a special trophy for areas badly in need of attention. Among them is the unsightly exit from the Festival Hall car park leading to the shopping centre, which is littered with recycling bins. Crawter's Lane, which runs alongside the Folly Market, is another of Mr Hick's nominations for town centre grot spot.

"What could be a lovely entrance to the town's shopping centre is just nothing with a great ugly wall," said Mr Hick.

And the other side of the central car park, walkways leading to the shopping centre have also come under his gaze with their unkempt appearance, unsightly bins and buildings in need of a lick of paint or more major restoration.

"Perhaps a wooden bloodshot eye could be awarded for to other grot spots in the town centre," he suggested.

He is now asking for nominations from local people for area they feel should be given a face lift. Anyone who has any suggestions should contact The Petersfield Herald at 24 High Street on 01730-263585.