WINSFORD'S streets should stay clean despite the massive financial troubles of the company that provided Vale Royal Borough Council's vehicles.

Bethell Fleet Services had a "best value" contract with the council to provide much of the distinctive green and white fleet that collects garbage and sucks the muck off the streets of Winsford and other Vale Royal towns.

But Bethell was forced into administration in January this year with severe cash problems and financial giant KPMG was called in to help.

A management buy-out last month means that the company will carry on trading, but there are worries that Bethell's problems could have a disastrous effect on the council's waste and street cleaning operation.

However, Steve Bakewell, head of environmental operations at the borough council, says the council still has "a number of options" and residents will not suffer any service cuts as a result of developments at Bethell.

He said: "The council has not owned its own vehicles for many years.

"The partnership with Bethell was progressing very well and was recognised by bodies like the DTLR as best practice and ground breaking in the local authority fleet arena.

"Due to what we believe to be a number of unfortunate business decisions by Bethell, not involving the Vale Royal partnership, they went into administration on January 20.

"KPMG has sold the majority of Bethell Fleet's assets on to a management company.

"The municipal fleet - including Vale Royal's - was not part of the deal. The authority is not in danger of losing its vehicles."