I READ recently that we have some of the lowest rates in the area.

But at what cost?

If you need anything removed from your home the charge is £19,

regardless of your age or employment status.

It has to be at the kerb, regardless of your health.

We used to have our waste food removed weekly. Now we have to have it around for two weeks at a time.

With a hot summer like we had this year, even though I had a dustbin with a black bag which was changed every few days, I still had had maggots climbing out, and large flies everywhere.

Is this progress?

We used to have our streets swept and litter picked, now we have appeals in this

newspaper for people to pick up the litter in the town streets.

Weeds grow rampant through kerbstones everywhere.

What's the point of bragging about low rates if basic hygiene levels are disregarded.

Pauline Jones

Middle Littleton