SIR - On March 8 I rang Bulk Refuse to request removal of an old fridge. On April 4 I rang again as it had not been collected. I was told there was a four-week delay on collections.

On April 24 I rang again. I was told there could be a long wait for collection of such items, and could not be given any time scale.

Why are we paying Council Tax for such a disgusting service?

If I was able to move the fridge on to public land, I would do so. Perhaps then resources could be found to remove it.

This kind of service only encourages people to dump items, and not follow the correct procedure.

H Y Bulmer, Weymouth Avenue, Allerton.

l Alan Baff, Head of Cleansing, Bradford Council, said: "I would like to apologise to Miss Bulmer for the delay in removing her fridge.

"Separate collections have to be made for fridges and freezers so that they can be disposed of in an environmentally-friendly manner. It is not cost effective for the Council to use the vehicle to collect single items. We therefore wait until there are a number of items to be collected in a particular area.

"Bradford Council is one of a handful of local authorities that still provide a free service of this type so I hope the public will bear with us as we will endeavour to collect fridges and freezers as soon as we can."

SIR - Regarding the flying of flags. Here in my front yard I have a yardarm flag pole. On the top is the Stars and Stripes for the USA. On the lower arm is the Union Jack and on the other arm is the Scottish flag (my husband's family were from Scotland).

We are very proud of our flags, and they are displayed daily, but if you keep them out at night, they must have a light shining on them.

Flying the flag here in the US is very important to everyone. Come down my street on a holiday and everyone has a flag outside. We are very proud of our country.

Even though I am from Bradford, I still show my heritage by displaying the Union Jack. I may sing the Star Spangled Banner, but my heart will always belong to England.

Diane Duguid, E 4th Street, Deer Park, New York.

SIR - Just to say how good it was to see student teams from the Hanson School, St Joseph's College and Thornton Grammar School in action last week during UK Rock Challenge's two evenings of competitive performances at St George's Concert Hall on April 24 and 25. Not only did these three teams all produce superb performances (and pick up a well-deserved clutch of awards between them too) but they acquitted themselves magnificently during both long days: it was a real pleasure to be with them.

Never forget that these UK Rock Challengers not only commit a great deal of time and energy to their team in the run-up to each event but that they also commit to doing without the use or abuse of tobacco products, alcohol, solvents and any of the illegal drugs: three hearty cheers to all of them!

John Arrowsmith, Website Editor - and occasional stagehand - for UK Rock Challenge (http://www.rockchallenge.co.uk)

SIR - Through your newspaper I would like to thank three young lads who came to an old man's rescue after he had fallen. They made him comfortable and came to ask me to phone for an ambulance.

They didn't leave until they saw that he was safe. They need praise for their kindness.

Ida Hacking, High Street, Wibsey.

SIR - Well before Easter, I read with interest a rather glossy four-page paper from the Conservative Christian Fellowship. Inside was a letter (April 4) from the prospective Conservative Parliamentary candidate for Shipley and a feature on "The Conservative Animal Welfare Group" which encouraged me to write for we are, at present, all concerned with such issues as the foot-and-mouth crisis and the bloodsports debate, among others.

As three weeks have now elapsed, I'm still awaiting a reply at the time of penning this. Rather like Lewis Carroll's neat line in "The Walrus and the Carpenter" it seems that "Answer came there none" is to be my reward for taking the trouble to drop the Tories a line.

Perhaps they've been through the looking glass and disappeared!

Though I'm not New Labour's greatest fan, Chris Leslie MP, to his credit, is unfailingly meticulous in replying promptly to letters.

Sid Brown, Glenhurst Road, Shipley.

SIR - Please allow me space in your column to convey my sincere thanks to Mr Ian Beck, his team and all the staff on Ward 12 at Bradford Royal Infirmary.

Their approachability, endless patience and good humour gave much-needed reassurance to a very apprehensive patient and I am most grateful to them all.

Mrs J Gadsden, Springfield Road, Baildon.