DEAR EDITOR -- While talking to local constituents, and indeed many other people from all other areas of Bromsgrove district, the issue of litter keeps cropping up.

Now Bromsgrove is in no way worse than other parts of the country but people are beginning to make their voices heard that it is their local environment that they live in and want to be proud of.

I am sure I am not alone in seeing people discard litter moments after the local council workforce has finished cleaning up an area. I am sure I am not alone in seeing people discarding litter only inches away from council litter bins - so it is not just a matter of blaming 'the council' for not doing enough.

Much of the litter originally contained some sort of foodstuff, which attracts vermin, and also puts at risk the very people dropping it. That there is an increase in the rat population nationally is not a very inspiring statistic for a civilised country trying to move ahead in the 21st century. Although it could be tempting for some people to think so, it is not just the retailers of fast food who are responsible for this situation, but clearly the very people who drop all types of litter for whatever reason.

Is it the young or the old who are largely to blame for this situation? The answer is neither, many people of all ages and walks of life have slipped into this thoughtless routine.

What can we do? I'd like to think that we can work together to change attitudes and that this letter might stimulate some kind of constructive debate amongst the readers of this newspaper.

Bromsgrove is a place to be proud of and, to paraphrase John F Kennedy, do not ask what Bromsgrove can do for you, ask what we can do for Bromsgrove.

Councillor Anthony Blagg

Whitford Ward

Bromsgrove District Council