John Smith is leading the call to find out why buildings in Wellingborough are not being used at a time when major growth is expected in the district.

Topping the eyesore list is a disused factory in Great Park Street, Wellingborough, which is boarded up and has for sale signs outside.

However, there are also claims the old Sudborough and Woods factory, in Strode Road and Mill Road, has become a home for vermin and empty shops in the Swansgate shopping centre, Silver Street and St John's Street have left passers-by feeling down.

Despite the criticisms, town leaders have defended Wellingborough as a great place to live and have urged critics to give it time to improve further.

Wellingborough Council development committee chairman Lora Lawman said: "A lot of Wellingborough is going to be developed. It just takes time.

"It does not happen overnight. We need pride in the place where we live."

Mr Smith, who lives in Bell Court, is also unhappy at the amount of litter and stacks of trolleys which he says pile up across the town.

The 71-year-old said: "Every time I go into the town I feel sad because I remember what a great town we had in the '50s and '60s.

"I used to be proud of our town and now I am embarrassed to talk about it.

"I feel very strongly indeed about this.

"It is not just the town centre. There are cigarette ends everywhere, dog mess and broken glass.

"The empty shops are an eyesore."

Mr Smith went on to say: "Wellingborough has deteriorated beyond repair during the last 40 years."

Despite Mr Smith's criticisms, there is huge support for the efforts environmental officers in the town have made to make it a cleaner and greener place.

Earlier this year Cllr Lawman said there had been a "100 per cent" change in the town's litter situation.

The council has also just bought two £26,000 super sweepers to help it clean graffiti and chewing gum more quickly.

Many of the sites highlighted by Mr Smith could be revamped in future years as part of the town's regeneration plans.