A CITY centre pavement where “every stone is out of shape” was not deemed a priority repair... days before a pensioner tripped over and smashed his face.

Derek Brett, 83, was walking past A Slice of Colchester with his wife Elizabeth shortly after noon on Tuesday when he fell on a wobbly paving slab in Culver Street West.

As a result of the fall, he broke his nose and suffered cuts to his cheek and lip.

Blood had dripped onto the pavement as members of the public and staff helped Mr Brett to his feet, looking after him whilst an ambulance was called.

Gazette: Shaken – Mr Brett said it took him a while to compose himself after the fall on Tuesday afternoonShaken – Mr Brett said it took him a while to compose himself after the fall on Tuesday afternoon (Image: Daniel Rees, Newsquest)

Paramedics arrived at about 1.20pm and took him to Colchester Hospital.

Essex County Council has since confirmed workers had inspected the pavement four days before on January 12, before concluding it “did not meet priority repair criteria”.

A spokesman said: “In order to maximise resources, we have to prioritise and fix the most urgent issues first.

“A safety inspection was last carried out on Culver Street West on Friday 12 January, however the defects reported did not meet priority repair criteria.

Gazette: Dangerous – the wobbly and uneven slabs were criticised by passers byDangerous – the wobbly and uneven slabs were criticised by passers by (Image: Daniel Rees, Newsquest)

“We conduct monthly street safety inspections to ensure we prioritise the roads and pavements most in need of repair.”

The spokesman added they are sorry to hear about Mr Brett’s fall and wished him a speedy recovery.

Members of the public were not impressed, however.

One gentleman, Graham Warwick, said the state of the pavement was ridiculous.

Gazette: Painful – blood was left on the pavement after Mr Brett broke a small bone in his nose on the pavementPainful – blood was left on the pavement after Mr Brett broke a small bone in his nose on the pavement (Image: Daniel Rees, Newsquest)

He said: “It’s ridiculous – you’ve got uneven pavement cobbles all the way up the road.

“A lot needs doing – look at how the slabs bow and curve.

“Every paving stone is out of shape – something has got to be done about this.”

Gazette: Emergency – an ambulance was called and paramedics took Mr Brett to hospital where he received a check-up from doctorsEmergency – an ambulance was called and paramedics took Mr Brett to hospital where he received a check-up from doctors (Image: Daniel Rees, Newsquest)

The day after his injury, Mr Brett, of White Horse Lane, Witham – said: “I didn’t see the hazard and I fell.

"You can’t go along looking for potholes and dog poo when you come to sightsee in town.

“I took some time to compose myself.

"I want to thank the people I didn’t know who came to help," he added.