ROB Wilson has called for local groups to team up and improve the look of the town centre.

The Reading East MP's comments come off the back of concerns raised by a constituent who led him in on an unconventional tour of the borough's "less attractive" streets.

Following the walk-through Mr Wilson has written to Reading Business Improvement District (BID) to highlight the areas they believe need urgent action.

He has also spoken to a number of individual businesses about the state of their premises.

Mr Wilson said: "Spending time walking around Reading town centre and observing closely the areas of concern, it’s clear that certain shop-frontages and business premises have been overlooked for what appears a significant period of time.

"Initially, this apparent absence of basic maintenance was pointed out by a concerned constituent of mine who was intent on showing me the worst sections of the town.

"During our walking-tour, other members of the public stopped me to share similar concerns about the state of our town, highlighting also the regular anti-social behaviour, particularly overnight, that exacerbates the damage and disrupts daily business practices, as well as the general cleanliness of Reading’s streets.

"It's simply unacceptable that businesses have to routinely clear up truly appalling mess every morning from the front of their shops and that litter is discarded on our streets in a blasé fashion, with no thought for or pride in our town."

However in the wake of his claims Reading Borough Council's deputy leader Cllr Tony Page has fought back in defence of the town and pointed to the bi-annual deep clean of the town centre which is due to start in the next few weeks.

He said: "Busy city centres like Reading will unfortunately always have elements of anti-social behaviour, but successful joint working helps to tackle many of these issues.

"As a town centre councillor I am fully aware of the sites referred to by Mr Wilson and of the action being taken by the BID and Council officers.

"Were Mr Wilson ever to accept regular briefings from senior council officers he too could be much better informed than is obviously the case from his occasional visits south of the river.

"For an MP whose primary agenda is to generate press releases and to criticise and undermine the Council, and now the BID as well, it is also somewhat rich to call for ‘collaborative efforts’.

"Rob Wilson is understandably feeling very sore following the drubbing given to Reading Conservatives last Thursday and is lashing out in typical fashion."