I'M sure it was not the intention of the Director of Direct Services Peter Hunt to label all of the borough's residents as lazy, only those who persist in littering and fly-tipping.

True, it is the council's responsibility to keep the streets clean, and this they endeavour to do, but it is at great cost.

Wouldn't our streets -- and they are our streets -- be much cleaner and wouldn't it be much cheaper if people didn't drop litter, usually within sight of a litter-bin? Wouldn't our back streets and green spaces look more attractive without dumped carpets, mattresses and chairs?

And hasn't the director got a point when some find it easier to lift a three-piece suite over five-foot high rails on to a school field rather than lift a telephone to ask the council to remove it -- free of charge?

There is no need for householders to dump items of furniture etc. in back streets or elsewhere. All it takes is a telephone call, either to the council or local councillor, either way it will be removed.

If we all took pride in our local environment, not only would it make our streets and borough tidier it would save hard-pressed Council Tax payers money.

COUN KEVIN CONNOR (Marsh House Ward), Elswick Street, Darwen.