SIR,

A couple of weeks ago I read an article in which a Wigan Council spokesman said: "Most people are happy with bin collections".

Most people I know are extremely annoyed and frustrated by the bad service they receive.

When I lived in another area nothing was too much trouble for the bin men. They would pick up bags left beside bins, engage in polite conversation and they were given Christmas tips. In Lowton if they don't feel like emptying a bin they just slap a sticker on it saying "too heavy", or "lid not down".

They don't have to lift or even move the bins.

Why are irate drivers trying to run bin men down if they are "happy with the bin collections" anyway?

In Lowton we have hardly any public litter bins and no dog waste bins at all. This means dog walkers like myself who clean up after our dogs have to carry their excrement around in a bag until we get home, even if that means walking to school and back with it -- how hygienic!

The Christmas collections are laughable, a consequence of this is Plank Lane being blocked with traffic trying to get to the rubbish tip. Frustrated drivers then resort to fly tipping on the Pennington Flash car park. Last year rubbish was piled so high cars could not drive in and I'm sure it must have been a health hazard.

Come on Wigan Council, stop patting yourselves on the back and start cleaning up this filthy area -- we pay enough for the service!

S Webb

Lowton