FOR Mr A J Parker (Letters, January 3) to suggest he was up to his knees in uncollected refuse is simply not true.

The weather on December 28 and 29 did prevent refuse collection for the majority of Blackburn with Darwen, as indeed it did for all surrounding towns, but this was not for the want of trying.

The police and motoring organisations were advising people not to venture out as the conditions were treacherous. To attempt a full refuse collection service under such conditions would have been foolhardy to say the least and would most certainly have resulted in accidents involving our 30-tonne refuse collection vehicles and possible injury to the public and staff.

I am pleased Mr Parker found Stockholm was clean with no sweet wrappers, drink cans or cigarette ends in the streets. The simple reason for this is that the residents of Stockholm do not drop litter in the first place.

Does Mr Parker believe that a department within the council exists employing staff to go round dropping litter? We deploy a large amount of resources to clean this borough and the actions of a minority of people ensure that they will not be without a job for the foreseeable future.

The council is continually reviewing waste disposal and recycling and is currently seeking tenders from companies to provide a door-to-door waste paper collection service. It provides a free bulky household waste collection service, unlike many authorities and promotes recycling through various initiatives.

The two civic amenity disposal sites at George Street West in Blackburn and Spring Vale Road, Darwen, are well used and adequately serve the community. More would be provided if it were considered that the cost of operating further sites could be justified.

Come on, Mr Parker, stop knocking your town and view it in a more idealistic way. Encourage all those who you come into contact with to behave more like the people of Stockholm and take a pride in your town.

COUNCILLOR Faryad Hussain, (Lead Member, Regeneration), Blackburn with Darwen Council.