DESPITE a recent £8,000 makeover, a Knutsford wood has been looking more than a little worse for wear.

Wallwood, a small wood located on the top of King Street, near the entrance to Tatton Park, had new paths installed last month after the council agreed to release the funds needed from its reserves.

The woodland, which is under the ownership of the council, is open all year round for public recreation and the paths were installed to further enhance the area’s attractiveness.

The new paths were completed in December but a reader contacted the Guardian to say how ‘appalled and horrified’ she was to see the state of the revamped area.

Hillside Road resident Julie Tempest took these photos whilst walking from Tatton Street to King Steet through the wood last week.

She said: "Given the new paths were only completed in early December, I was appalled to see how quickly they had deteriorated with the mesh showing through and gravel littering both Tatton Street and King Street entrances, as well as spilling over into the flower beds and grass area.

"Since I took the photos and sent them to my town councillor, I see some tidying up has been done and slight improvements made.

"But I do wonder why such inappropriate materials were used for the paths which are used regularly by so many locals and visitors to the town."

Knutsford Town Clerk Adam Keppel-Garner said: “This problem had not been reported to me; first I saw of it was from the reader tweeting the images.

“Having seen these, I have spoken with the contractor who will be visiting to adjust the cells on the inside of the kerb edging and form a concrete slip with gravel embedded on the inside of the concrete pin kerbs.

“This should improve the situation and minimise the gravel overspill.”