PETER Hunt, director of direct services for Blackburn with Darwen, uses one of the oldest tricks in the book in suggesting that it is not the actual dumping of rubbish that is on the increase, but that people are reporting or complaining more than in previous years (LET, April 24).

An increase of 60 per cent in complaints received! I would consider this a serious problem which needs addressing immediately. To completely deny any connection with the 'van ban' at household recycling centres introduced by the Labour council is nothing short of arrogance.

I agree that there will always be sections of the public who are likely to dump their rubbish when and where they please. However, the council and its services are in part responsible for the increases in tipping in the street.

The council should lead by example. We all know that rubbish left for any length of time, not only gets spread about, making cleaning up all the more difficult, but it also tends to accumulate more rubbish.

If, as Mr Hunt suggests, that laziness from householders is the cause of back street dumping, then perhaps he should look closer to home for a solution. Each and every time that I have telephoned the cleansing department regarding rubbish in the back streets, it has never been cleared within the specified five days.

Until the services provided acknowledge a responsibility, then they cannot expect likewise from the public they profess to serve.

COUN ROBIN EVANS, British National Party, Blackburn with Darwen Council.