BEFORE the saga of the poor York carriage horses and one of their natural but seemingly offensive functions and the disposal of same is shelved for yet another two years, I must tell you what I saw in Saltzburg during a recent visit.

A man rode around the city on a bicycle which had a large square box on the front with a shovel and a brush inside.

When necessary, the cyclist hopped off and discreetly and quickly removed the offending matter, then sped off to do likewise when required.

In a recent readers letter, someone suggested the carriage-owner should be doing this job himself. Does he stop the carriage when it happens and say to his tourist passengers "excuse me while I shovel this ....?" Where will he place it when he does? Maybe someone else will come up with an idea.

JJ Moore,

Church Lane, Skelton.

Updated: 11:18 Wednesday, July 16, 2003