CITIZENS of York rejoice! All our concerns about council taxes are resolved.

If every litter dropper in York is to be fined £50 under the latest "initiative", then the resulting cascade of wealth into the municipal coffers will pay all our bills twice over.

Just who is to accost and instantly fine the enormous number of people dropping wrappers, fast food remains, drink cans, coffee cups, chewing gum wads, fag ends, drug syringes, old bikes, bedding etc?

Have a look down the well in front of the council offices next to the bus stops in St Leonard's Place.

Check the smokers' points at the council office doors nearby, have a serious look at the streets other than Parliament Street.

Look at the approaches to the river from the city bridges, particularly Skeldergate Bridge.

I cannot take this Beacon Council or its prize-winning cleansing teams seriously because York has always had a serious litter problem and it is not being resolved.

The number of city centre litter bins full to overflowing before the Bank Holiday starts tells all.

No doubt some older person will face the wrath of the litter wardens for dropping a fag end, but I very much doubt whether the louts spreading their litter trails throughout the city on most nights will take any notice other than to gave a two-finger salute.

Charles Rushton,

Pasture Close,

Strensall,

York.

Updated: 10:14 Monday, April 19, 2004