Deprived town where life is like an episode of Shameless

Locals 'scared to go out at night'

- BY ADAM DUTTON

Fly-tipping and boarded up house, top right, in Walsall; left from top, Vanessa Terry, Mary Davis, Alan

RESIDENTS of Britain’s most deprived town say living there resembles a “real-life episode of Shameless”.

Walsall, in the West Midlands, ranked bottom of an annual survey of places to live.

Locals complain the homeless earn more money than they do by begging outside Wetherspoons.

Once the centre of the leather trade, its inhabitants feel like they are “living in a war-zone” with many too scared to go out at night.

Feral youths, gang violence and drug addicts are said to have made streets no-go zones, even in daytime, while one suburb is dubbed “Britain’s roughest estate”.

Photos show how the town has declined, with fly-tipping, empty shops and boarded-up houses.

Residents say the town used to boast major retailers and independent stores, but has steadily gone downhill in the past 20 years.

Daniel Briars, 40, said: “I know a lad who runs a market stall and some days he takes home less than £100. I’ve spoken to homeless people who earn more than that by begging outside Spoons.

“This town used to be buzzing. Day or night it was thriving. Now look around — its vape shops, charity shops or empty shops.”

Walsall residents claim life there is like dysfunctional TV comedy-drama Shameless