MORE than 1,000 people have signed a petition demanding action on Crewe's 'dangerous' pavements.

The names, gathered in less than a week, will be put to the county and borough councils next week in a bid to make the streets safer for the elderly, with campaigners saying they will take their fight to Downing Street if their demands are not met.

Crewe pensioner Frank Jones, who led the battle last year to stop the Britannia war memorial being moved and now heads the Safer Pavements Action Team (SPAT), said too many elderly people have injured themselves needlessly as they try to negotiate Crewe's perilous pavements.

Mr Jones, 73, of Scott Avenue, Crewe, said the authorities need to stop stalling and take action before any-more are hurt.

He said: 'We've done a couple of Saturdays and an afternoon in the rain and we've collected about 1,000 signatures so far.

'As well as getting the signatures, we want people to tell us if they have fallen themselves, and so many people have.

'You would be amazed how many people have really hurt themselves but the councils aren't listening.'

Mr Jones added the borough council should be doing more to represent the people of Crewe by putting pressure on

the Government and county council over some of the town's most difficult and uneven walkways, including the main Victoria and Queensway shopping areas.

'The council have a joint highways committee, yet there's never been any mention of the pavements at their meetings.

'The town should not be a danger zone for the elderly.'

On Monday, Mr Jones and other members of the action team set up a display in the town centre displaying images of some of the horrific injuries elderly people have suffered.

One elderly shopper said: 'I broke my wrist on Brookhouse Drive and had to spend six weeks in hospital.

'Now, when I go out I tremble at the thought of falling again.'

Borough council portfolio holder for the environment, John Hammond, welcomed the campaign.

'I'm delighted Mr Jones has taken up this issue, and the amount of signatures shows that feelings are strong on the matter.

'We will do all we can to support this campaign and help persuade the county council to do something urg ently.'