A county councillor has raised concerns over unsightly scaffolding erected in the aftermath of Storm Arwen.
The scaffolding was put up to facilitate repairs to a number of buildings on Front Street in Prudhoe - but five months after one of the worst storms in living memory, the scaffolding remains up.
Coun Gordon Stewart, who represents Prudhoe South on Northumberland County Council, is concerned that the structure could be having an impact on trade - and believes local businesses are also worried.
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Coun Stewart said: "Front Street is usually very vibrant, but this scaffolding has been up for months. I am concerned it will be hurting the businesses in the area.
"I would encourage people to continue to shop local and would remind them that all the businesses affected remain open. I understand the businesses are concerned by the amount of time it has taken.
"I have asked for a further update on the scaffolding and I have been advised that a contractor has not yet been appointed. I will continue to chase this matter to ensure that the work is carried out as soon as possible."
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It is understood that there have been delays in appointing a contractor to carry out the work, although some emergency repairs have already been carried out.
The scaffolding covers a number of businesses in the Northumberland town, including Reflections hairdressers and Wor Local micropub. The buildings are owned by the Co-op group.
A spokesman for the company said: "The Co-op has been in contact with its insurers in order to ensure damage caused during the extreme weather is repaired as quickly as possible."
The BBC reported earlier this month that insurance claims from Storm Arwen had been estimated to have caused total insurance losses of up to £300m, according to accountancy firm PWC.
As well as damage to countless buildings, the storm's 100mph winds also brought down more than one million trees, with the Forestry Commission believing it could take up to a year to repair the damage.
