DON'T take this the wrong way. I'm not a snob, I was brought up on council estates.

The people were smashing and in the '50s and '60s, people were proud of their homes and kept them spotless. Well they did in my drive, on the top half of Higher Folds.

This week, I parked on a road leading on to a council estate I'd not visited before. I must admit, I was loath to leave my car there while I just nipped to a nearby shop.

There were a lot of scruffy young people lurking about, the houses were untidy and one was like Onslow's in Keeping Up Appearances - three knackered old Morris Travellers parked where the front garden should be.

How can people live in such a tip? Don't they realise they bring down the tone and reputation of the place.

Fancy living next door to such a hovel and not having the opportunity or hope of getting away.

I can't think of many things worse than being unhappy at home because of selfish, scruffy neighbours.