Sir, - Coun Arthur Barker of Hambleton District Council is right to threaten to remove re-cycling centres if material is not placed in the bins but left on the ground. (D&S, Feb 14)

The problem is not, however, always with those making the effort to contribute to the many reasonable requests to support re-cycling. My picture (above) was taken in Appleton Wiske in January at the time when I called Hambleton to ask for the bin to be emptied. This is not the first time I have had to make a call when one or more of these bins have been overflowing.

The local support for re-cycling is not as good as it could be nor as good as other areas in Hambleton, but when responsible individuals have to return home with their bottles or cans because the appropriate bin is full, it's not surprising that they lose enthusiasm and don't bother to collect materials in the future.

Also, there is a container in the car park at B&Q in Northallerton where plastic bottles are collected. Unfortunately, the holes through which the bottles are fed are too small for large plastic milk bottles so many of these have been left either on the ground or hanging in plastic bags around the collection bin. The correct design for the container would stop this problem immediately.

KEN BLACKWOOD

Hunters Ride,

Appleton Wiske.