I SHARE John Phillpott's concern about litter and would happily join him in a boat with two men, grappling hooks and a will to succeed to clean up the river bank (Worcester News, Saturday, September 9).

Like many citizens, I regularly litter-pick, but I'm afraid I'm getting more and more resentful.

Why should we clear up other people's mess? I often wonder how bad some people would let it get before they stopped dropping litter? How high would the rubbish mountain be?

People don't take responsibility for their actions. They blame seagulls, pigeons and rats.

I was disappointed to hear a fellow councillor call sea-gulls dirty filthy vermin. The gulls are actually clearing up our filth. I walked through a city arcade on Saturday morning and looked at the floor - chewing gum, cigarette ends, wrappers, spilled drink, burger packets and cans. I thought they can't blame the seagulls for this!

Why should staff have to start work early in the morning clearing the streets and pavements? Why should the Duckworth Trust and the city council have to clean up after lazy people? The sooner we have a litter patrol who can fine people on the spot the better. But they will need to be extremely strong-willed and thick-skinned.

COUN MARGARET LAYLAND,

St John's,

Worcester.

n METHINKS Philip Bushill-Matthews doth protest too much. The German leader of the Conservative group in the EU Parliament has stated that "the French and Dutch votes should not dictate to the rest of the EU" and that "parts one and two of the Constitution must be turned into political reality".

He also said that "once the French president has changed there will be a new route possible for the Constitution in France".

The Independence and Democracy grouping in the EU Parliament have the right idea in asking for countries to carry out a referendum on whether they wish to stay in the EU.

MARK STARR, Leigh Sinton.