DURING the Golden Jubilee celebrations I was proud to be British and flew the Union Jack from my car.

My husband and I have just returned from a holiday in the United States. I was struck by how clean it was.

No litter anywhere, no graffiti, no dog fouling.

Also, we saw no evidence of vandalism or youths hanging round street corners.

We came back to splodges of chewing gum on the pavements, plus all the above-mentioned.

No wonder they call us "dirty Britain." We've earned it and I'm now ashamed to be British.

M E BYSH (Mrs), Knowlesly Road, Darwen.