Team of retired pensioners could tackle litter

MADAM - Recently my husband and I spent a pleasant few days staying in an hotel in Sidmouth. I chanced to see your letters column, in which someone was, quite reasonably, complaining about the problem of litter in otherwise lovely places.

MADAM - Recently my husband and I spent a pleasant few days staying in an hotel in Sidmouth. I chanced to see your letters column, in which someone was, quite reasonably, complaining about the problem of litter in otherwise lovely places.

I would like to pass on my own experience of tackling this problem in various parts of Kidderminster. Take as your inspiration Bill Bryson, the author, who has pointed out that, when litter is cleared by volunteers it is often the case that very little more litter appears. This is because people will add their litter to an existing mess. If the area is tidy, they feel ashamed to spoil it by littering.

My friends and I are pensioners, sometimes called "active retired persons", and we regularly clear litter, with the support of our District Council refuse department. Sidmouth local council will almost certainly supply litter picks and bin bags.

If the council were to collect all litter every day, the necessary increased cost would be added to the council tax. In fact, this is not feasible. The good news is that efforts by volunteers always pay off, and feelings of frustration are relieved. If young people see you doing the work, they will be ashamed to drop a crisp packet.

How to dispose of the litter? I put drinks cans and bottles into my own recycling crate. Paper litter can be put into the council bins.

Best wishes to your beautiful town!

Margaret Brodie

25 Comberton Avenue

Kidderminster

Worcestershire