YOU report that one in ten young people in York spend their days doing nothing (March 4).

The solution? Get them out salting the pavements in bad weather, and doing other jobs that cost the council a fortune.

On the same night you reported a £180,000 council bill for one week's gritting. Put these youngsters on the back of a lorry and stick a shovel in their hands. By the time they are finished they will be too tired to get up to any mischief.

Colin Henson,

Moorcroft Road,

Woodthorpe, York.

Updated: 09:57 Thursday, March 10, 2005