NOBODY actually likes paying taxes, but householders in one East Lancashire borough have set an immensely high standard when it comes to meeting their obligations.

For residents in the Ribble Valley are among the best in Britain for settling their council tax bills. A collection-rate of 99 per cent in the last financial year put the rural borough among the top 15 best-performing local authorities.

It may be that as East Lancashire's most prosperous borough, its householders have to struggle somewhat less to pay their bills. But there is another, often-forgotten, aspect to people's duty to meet their dues on time -- that of social responsibility.

For the fewer who dodge or delay paying the council tax, the less of a debt burden the council has to carry and, as a result, it is easier for them to keep council tax bills on time. It is selfish and senseless to do otherwise.

Pooh! The pong of dead fish is driving folk away from Accrington's new showpiece Market Pavilions -- when they are meant to be an attraction drawing shoppers and increased spending to the town.

The problem? The main drain isn't adequate to take away waste water from the fishmongers' kiosks. As a result, the excess is left on the floor -- and the smell of it hangs in the air. Get the drains fixed fast -- before a 'high' summer makes shoppers and traders suffer more.