WHILE I agree with some of A J Parker's comments on uncollected rubbish (Letters, January 3), I feel that the following facts were not taken into consideration.

We were given advance notice that rubbish would not be collected on the Tuesday and that the 'binmen' would take extra bags the following week.

There are a number of recycling centres in Darwen and Blackburn, some are situated on supermarket car parks; the others, I feel sure, the town hall will gladly direct you to.

The problem of rubbish in the streets is down to each individual member of the public and their children.

They are the people who drop the litter, pop bottles, cigarette ends, chewing gum and don't bother cleaning up after their dogs, not Blackburn with Darwen Council.

I was always taught to take my litter home with me by my parents as bins were few and far between.

Why does this no longer happen?

I think we all need to start accepting some responsibility for our environment and clearing up after ourselves, instead of blaming everything on the council -- before we all disappear under a mountain of sweet papers, cans and dog dirt.

D HEYES (Miss), Birch Hall Avenue, Darwen.