Criticism has been thrown at “black stains” and “cracked paving slabs” which have emerged as a town centre regeneration project continues.

South Somerset District Council has been working on several schemes to enhance Yeovil town centre.

But councillor Tony Lock has criticised the quality of the work to date, claiming some of the newly-laid paving near Wine Street has already become stained or cracked.

He said at a recent meeting: “There are still black stains on the pavement at this moment in time. That is not acceptable.

“There’s also cracked paving slabs up there as well – I don’t want to see this signed off until all these issues are addressed.”

Councillor Peter Gubbins said the damage happened after the work had been carried out and would be fixed as the project moved forward.

He said: “At the end of the day, the contractors have put the paving slabs in, and another person’s come along and spilt something on it.

“I don’t want it like it, it’s got to be put right – but I think there comes a point where you can’t say ‘I’m not going to sign it off because someone else has made the stain’ – not the people who have laid the slabs in the first place.”

Natalie Fortt, the council’s director of place and recovery, added: "The cracks were caused by BT coming to do their work. We are aware and they will be ripped up and replaced."

Ms Fortt also gave an update on the remaining elements of the improvement works.

She said: “The preparation work will begin on October 24 and then the full works will start on October 31 – that’s on the side of Westminster Street where no work has taken place yet.

“Work will initially be taking place in the evening to try and reduce disruption to businesses.”

BT will be carrying out work on the other side of Westminster Street on October 27, having recently completed improvements to Wine Street.