THANKS to whoever has taken the trouble to clean up the patch of grassland behind the homes in Maple Crescent which back onto the by-pass.

For months I've tut-tutted as I've passed the site as more and more rubbish has built up in the hollow behind the back entry.

I couldn't rest if I lived among such grot. It's good to see a clean green spot again. The only trouble is it now shows up the rest of area.

I also noticed that a new sign has appeared on a small verge displaying a host of golden daffodils at the junction of the by-pass with Lovers Lane.

It states "green spaces, yours to enjoy". It's a pity there aren't a lot more as our fields are allowed to vanish under more and more acres of concrete.

And we can do without the signs which state the obvious, and spoil the views which would be greener still without them.

If I had the powers to banish hated items into oblivion, unneeded signs would be at the top of my list.

I'm baffled by their increasing use everywhere. Near my home in the space of less than a mile to the m-way there are now 70 signposts ranging from bollards, to cycle lanes, footpaths, speed limits, slow down you're going too fast illuminated signs, speed limit signs and on and on and on. And I hate them. For goodness sake stop spoiling our surroundings!