Clean-up for region before Olympic Torch arrives

Street-cleaning, grass-cutting and litter-picking are being stepped up as councils give the region a deep clean ahead of the Olympic Torch's visit.

The whole route travelled by the iconic flame will have been spruced up by the time it passes through South Staffordshire and the Black Country next weekend.

And councils have revealed they will be re-using bunting and other decorations from the Jubilee celebrations earlier this month to minimise expense. Many routine maintenance activities have been brought forward.

Dudley Council's culture chief Councillor Tracy Wood said the decision not to buy official Olympic and Torch Relay dressings had been made by all four Black Country councils due to cost.

"Tidying work in advance of the relay including cleaning and grass cutting is part of our normal service, which in some cases has been brought forward to coincide with the special day," she said.

Her counterpart at Walsall Council, Councillor Anthony Harris, added: "Bunting was put up as part of the Jubilee arrangements and it was decided to leave it up for the torch relay."

Neighbourhoods boss at Sandwell Council, Councillor Ian Jones said preparations for the day had been going on for months. "This is a once-in-a-lifetime event when the eyes of the world will be on us," he said.

In Wolverhampton, line-dancers will be on the Wednesfield Road, while a choir will perform in St Peter's Square.

Council assistant chief executive Joanne Lancaster said: "Of course, like all cities, we have some areas which are less attractive than others and we are continually making efforts to improve the look of these.

"All along the route we'll be celebrating the Torch's arrival with a very lively programme of free events, and instead of covering oth-er less attractive areas with hoardings, we've decided to make these events the focus of people's attention."

Similar preparations are being made in South Staffordshire, while free buses will take people from Essington to nearby Newtown to see the torch pass.