GIVEN the lack of time given to us to respond to Mr O'Donnell's letter to the Journal last week when, as chairman of Chacra, he complained of a lack of support from me in respect of litter in Charity Crescent; I am taking the opportunity to reply.

1. The only communication we have had from any local resident was an e-mail over two months ago on February 9 from Mr O'Donnell complaining of litter, which asked for help, and informed us that his Residents' Association was approaching the council for more litter collections. It also threatened negative publicity against my business.

2. I replied offering support and to be kept informed of the result of his approach to the council. Despite a reminder, no response was forthcoming from Mr O'Donnell.

3. We already sponsor litter bins in Charity Crescent and though it took the council the best part of a year to install them once we had paid for them, we are willing to sponsor more if it is thought that will help, though I doubt that it will.

4 If Mr O'Donnell ever visited McDonald's in Evesham, he would know that on the Drive thru window where over 3,000 drivers collect their order each week, there is a notice which they cannot miss and which reads: "Out of consideration to local residents, please dispose of your litter in a bin."

5. Charity Crescent is six miles long and last week we collected five pieces of McDonald's litter on Wednesday, none on Thursday, as there was none, 12 pieces on Friday, and nine on Saturday. Litter from our outlet represents between 15 per cent and 40 per cent of the total depending on how busy we have been and we monitor the position and pick it up as appropriate.

6. My wife and I provided the start-up funds for Mr O'Donnell's Residents' Association but have had no recent or useful contact from them.

Mr O'Donnell suggests that it is local residents who drop the litter and there seems to be less now that the roundabout at The Link junction opened and Charity Crescent is less used as a rat run; but the problem needs to be managed co-operatively. All Mr O'Donnell has ever had to do is telephone me. He has chosen not to do so.

PETER DAVIES, Franchisee, Market Place Trading Ltd t/a McDonald's Evesham.