IN reply to Charles Rushton's letter about the recent "gum blasting" operation on Parliament Street (June 28), I wish to point out that on the day this was being undertaken by the PACY Project and funded by York Business Pride.

This is a partnership between Arclight, City of York Council and York Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders (YACRO), which aims to help in the rehabilitation of ex-offenders, reformed and reforming drug users and rough sleepers though participation in voluntary work such as gum blasting.

On the day in question the work was being undertaken by two volunteers with a member of PACY staff as a supervisor.

I was also particularly surprised by Mr Rushton's comments about cigarette ends because, to my knowledge, all were deposited in the nearest litterbin because of the level of pride the volunteers and myself take in our work.

I welcome further suggestions from the community for specific projects such as areas in need of graffiti removal as mentioned in Mr Rushton's letter because PACY is constantly looking for new ways to bring community benefit in line with requests from York residents.

Richard Dixon,

PACY Project manager,

Robinson Court,

Walmgate, York.

Updated: 11:13 Wednesday, June 30, 2004