THE other day I witnessed a large, white machine was travelling along the highway carefully sweeping up and redistributing the dust and detritus from the highway surface.

Great care seemed to be taken that the large dust cloud emanating from the machine's rear end was evenly distributed over pedestrians and cars alike.

Used as I am to living under a council that does weird and strange things, the purpose of this activity completely escapes me. Perhaps some readers or councillor could throw some light on the purpose of this activity.

L LAWES, Bold Street, Blackburn.