A TEST Valley councillor has challenged claims that litter collection standards are improving in the borough.

Cllr Alan Dowden sought assurances at a full council meeting that litter collection standards would improve.

But Cllr Peter Boulton, portfolio holder for the environment and health, said independent monitors had shown that the service was improving.

Mr Dowden replied: "How can the portfolio holder say it's getting better when councillors like myself thing it's getting worse?"