A restaurant owner claims councillors must be ‘walking around with their eyes closed’ to miss the scores of loose paving stones on Sidmouth’s ‘disgusting’ streets.

Steve Clarke said paramedics were called earlier this month after another elderly person fell in High Street and badly hurt his face. He says some older residents fear walking the pavements in case they have an accident and lose their independence.

Mr Clarke has previously spoken out after counting 54 loose paving stones between Fore Street and Radway - and he is reiterating his call for action to be taken.

Mr Clarke, who runs Rendezvous in Fore Street, said: “I’m utterly disgusted with the state of the pavements. It worries some old people.

“Are the councillors walking around with their eyes closed?

“We deserve better than this. The council should make sure the people of Sidmouth have a safe place to walk and the businesses get a town that’s fit for purpose.”

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council’s highways chief and Sidmouth/Sidford representative, said: “The safety of the public is our primary concern and I do hope that the person who fell was not too badly hurt. The damage to the paving, as in other areas of the town, is caused by HGVs parking on the pavements and our parking enforcement officers continue to keep a close eye on the area. As in High Street, we are investigating the possibility replacing the slabs with an alternative, more resilient surface. A budget is available to allow the surfacing on well used paved areas to be replaced.

“Fore Street and High Street will both be considered. Before any changes take place, we would first seek the agreement of the town council and other relevant parties.”