ALTHOUGH I cannot condone rubbish being tipped, I can understand why (LET, August 10).

I would like the council to define what they call rubbish and household waste.

I had a rotting garden shed, dismantled on the lawn, ready for removal. On ringing 585921, I was quoted £25 for removal as I was a house-owner. Had I been a council tenant it would have been removed free, I was told.

Several days later, I rang the same number to see if I could get a better deal. I spoke to someone else who didn't know anything about the first quote and who said that no-one gets a free service, it was £50 to everyone.

These were unaffordable prices.

Not being able to stand the rubbish on the lawn, I was forced to approach private contractors and got someone to remove it for £20. I would like to know why the council charge different prices on different days for the same job. It should be free, like most other towns. People just cannot afford to be tidy.

H BILSBOROUGH (Mrs), Manxman Road, Blackburn.

FOOTNOTE: A spokesman for Blackburn with Darwen Council said: "Household waste, such as old chairs, refrigerators and cookers, is removed free of charge by prior arrangement. However, there is a charge for bulky waste, such as garden or builders' refuse, irrespective of whether the customer is an owner-occupier or council tenant.

"In the case of bulky refuse, a council officer will visit the customer and provide a free estimate. The number to call for all inquiries involving waste disposal is 01254 585921."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.