As the local elections approach, Cheltenham Civic Society (CCS) has launched a new town centre manifesto.

The charity is petitioning councillors and candidates for both Cheltenham Borough Council (CBC) and Gloucestershire County Council to restore civic pride in Cheltenham's town centre.

The manifesto has five key points, calling on all councillors to:

1. Organise it - radically improve town centre management by being more accountable.

2. Repair it - by creating a simple improvement plan for the town centre, focusing on inexpensive, simple actions that will enhance the appearance of the town's public spaces.

3. Clean it - by implementing a competitive, robust, accountable and thorough cleaning service.

4. Tidy it - through guiding and enforcing waste management.

5. Own it - by instilling a sense of civic pride and responsibility.

Andrew Booton, CCS chair, said: "Our first manifesto two years ago drew attention to the poor state of Cheltenham town centre - particularly the slipshod care of the public realm. The manifesto quite rightly embarrassed the two councils and they reacted positively to most of the points.

"But there is still a huge amount to do. Although GCC did at least resurface Cambray Place, we still have tarmac cowpats throughout the town centre and The Strand area is still a disgrace."

The new manifesto calls for a town centre forum to be set up now and a town centre manager to be appointed.

CCS also wants the councils to help instil some civic pride by running campaigns to encourage both people and businesses to keep the town centre clean.

Andrew Booton continued: "As well as resurfacing The Strand, all the tarmac infills should be reinstated and all the broken slabs in the Prom should be replaced. Plus the John Lewis paving should finally be adopted by GCC - six years after being laid!

"Cheltenham has many things to be proud of - but its town centre is not one of them. We know the councils will blame a lack of cash in their coffers but the improvements we are suggesting are low cost, constructive and simple. We want the councils to make the town centre's improvement a priority."

A council spokesperson said: "We have continued to demonstrate our commitment to Cheltenham by investing to support the continued success and long-term prosperity of the town centre. Our work in looking at vacant units in the town and, through this working with landlords and landowners, demonstrates one of the ways we are acting proactively. We continue to attract major brands to the town centre, alongside a thriving, award winning, night-time economy and an innovative and diverse cultural offering throughout the year.

"Civic pride is important to us all and we all have a part to play. We do this by working alongside key stakeholders, including Gloucestershire County Council and Cheltenham BID."