I WAS incensed by the comments made by Councillor Ann Scaife about Hyndburn coming top in a survey of litter in East Lancashire). Many council officials make similar comments each year on this important subject.

Every year we hear the same old comments from all the usual departments, within local authorities. "It is the people who cause the problem." Everybody knows who is responsible, what we want is for someone with the guts to do something about it.

I would like to know why we cannot have the same regime that occurs in Manchester, which is a zero tolerance on litter.

How long should we tolerate massive amounts of money being spent on the improvements of our town centres, such as Accrington and Blackburn, without further attention being made against the litter louts, who immediately deface the improvements?

If there is an extra £650,000 available this year, and I note it is extra money, why can we not employ a number of appropriately authorised officials to scout the borough, issuing on the spot fines of a minimum £70?

The £650,000 would be well spent and would perhaps be more cost-effective than any other measures. Taking into account the overheads this action would generate, there is room for approximately 17 inspectors within this budget, which, if seen on the streets could serve us well.

I S McTURK. (address supplied)