Pick up litter or you go to jail...

SIR - Regarding your litter problem, in the US anyone who is convicted of a minor offence can usually "work" it off by doing community service, which means picking up litter on the streets of the town where they live.

If they don't complete the work, say over six months, or whatever the sentence is for, they are then sent to prison where they serve out their sentence.

I am sure they would rather go home at night after doing a service to the community than go to prison.

And it works. Of course you will get the odd person who voices an objection, the bleeding hearts of our society, but the place is cleaned up and there is always someone who is going to get convicted of something, so it tends to be an ongoing project.

Their "reward" is going home at night.

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

Make 'em pay...

SIR - While I disagree with the amount of the fine imposed on Mrs Gardner (T&A, October 21), I totally agree with the concept of penalising people for 'sloppy' parking.

As these people are taking up two parking slots they should pay double, plus a bit extra for administration and being inconsiderate to other car park users, but £60 is very excessive.

Martin Gray, Skipton Road, Silsden.

Perilous parking

SIR - In Great Horton Road opposite the Ali Baba carpets, I noticed cars parked on double yellow lines. I had to walk with a pushchair on to the road around the cars. This is very dangerous, as this is a very busy road.

Surely these inconsiderate car owners are committing an offence? A pavement is for walking on, not for cars.

Susan Douglas, Great Horton Road, Bradford.

Dogs in distress

SIR - I am writing on behalf of Assistance Dogs UK, appealing for sensible celebrations around Bonfire Night to avoid frightening working dogs.

Fireworks are a nightmare for guide and other assistance dogs. Many of these working animals become so terrified they have to be sedated, meaning they are unable to work for days at a time.

Worse, some are even forced into early retirement because they become so nervous of any loud bangs or noises.

The impact on guide and other assistance dogs is shocking:

l Guide Dogs: 52 puppies, dogs in training or working guide dogs were affected by fireworks last year, symptoms ranging from shaking, quivering, nervousness and cowering.

l Dogs for the Disabled: Last year nearly 20 dogs in working partnerships were affected by fireworks; one trainee puppy has since been rejected after becoming sound shy.

l Hearing Dogs: 20 hearing dogs have required extra support visits from behaviourists to work through problems caused by fireworks in 2004.

l Support Dogs: Two were retired due to noise phobia problems which started during last year's fireworks season. Many others were prescribed medication to reduce noise-related stress.

l Canine Partners: Three-quarters of the charity's trainee puppies have in recent years suffered noise-related side effects because of fireworks.

Limiting fireworks displays to the bonfire weekend will allow guide dog and other assistance dog owners to plan their days to minimise the impact upon their dogs' wellbeing.

Alan Brooks, chairman, Assistance Dogs UK, Hillfields, Burghfield Common, Reading.

Speed-test query

SIR - As a retired police traffic officer who has used speed-detecting equipment on many roads in the Bradford area over many years, I was interested in two articles which appeared in the T&A on October 20.

On page 18 there were details of a speed watch patrol with civilian volunteers using mobile speed cameras to check the speeds of motorists. Offenders were subsequently warned for speeding.

While not totally against this means of tackling speeders, would it not be better if uniformed police officers were used in operating this equipment so that they could stop offending drivers at the scene and issue fixed-penalty tickets as these would have far greater impact than warning letters?

On page 25 a pedestrian was complaining about bad driving and speeding on Allerton Road. Would it not be possible to have some speed checks carried out by the civilian volunteers to ascertain if there is a problem, or to install unmanned traffic data equipment on this road which can record numbers of vehicles using the road over a decided period of time, and the speeds/average speed of such traffic in order to determine if there is a speeding problem before methods of reducing this can be considered?

Brian Pickford, Summerbridge Crescent, Eccleshill.

Forget the toxins

SIR - I am reluctant to criticise Helen Mead, as she often has me shedding tears of laughter with her topical and poignant column.

However, when she states (T&A, October 24) parents know only a strong, highly-toxic chemical in a bottle containing 20 warning triangles will get rid of head lice, I must challenge her.

Research shows that certain lice have become resistant to pesticides (chemical shampoos) and that natural alternatives are unlikely to kill eggs. There is no need to go to bed with hair sodden in potentially-harmful chemicals for up to six weeks. Combing out live lice with a comb and conditioner (free from your health visitor or school nurse) will resolve the infestation effectively in four sessions, spaced three days apart, over a two-week period.

The "revolting little eggs" can also be removed quickly using a special comb available in a "bug-busting kit" from a charitable organisation, Community Hygiene Concern (www.chc.org/bugbusting). They also sell a video or DVD to show you "how it's done"!

Monday October 31 is the next National Bug Busting Day! Save your money for the 'trick-or-treaters' and leave the toxins on the shelf.

Joanne Craven, Ashbourne Way, Bradford.

Borrower Brown

SIR - Re Geoff Tasker's tirade against the old lady who refused to pay her council tax (Letters, October 18). Well, I do not blame her. Since Tony's Lousy Party got back into power, there has been one tax after another and all service charges have gone up. People will eventually see that Gordon Brown is not the great Chancellor that he boasts about. Very soon now you will see the bottom drop out.

The economy is not as strong as he makes out, and he is steadily borrowing. It is called a sleight of hand, robbing Peter to pay Paul - and boy, is he robbing us!

I personally think that the only people who should pay taxes are the idiots who voted this party in again.

N Brown, Peterborough Place, Undercliffe.

Hands off Cliff

SIR - In reply to T Williams (T&A, October 25), why do people have such a problem with Sir Cliff Richard? Each to his own, I say.

If Mr Williams doesn't like Cliff then that's his prerogative but there is no need to attack Cliff and his fans.

I happen to be a 28-year-old female who absolutely loves Cliff, and I have done for years. No, I have not been brought up listening to his music. I'm sure Mr Williams will find this hard to believe, but I actually made up my own mind to like him.

Cliff has adapted to many different music styles over the years, but if Mr Williams doesn't like his music, he doesn't have to listen to him.

Ms K Walker, Hawksworth Village, Leeds.

Victory serves on

SIR - In his article on Trafalgar (T&A, October 21), Jim Greenhalf stated that HMS Victory was decommissioned in 1812.

In fact HMS Victory is the world's oldest commissioned warship and was only retired from frontline duty in 1812, but NOT decommissioned.

Still manned by officers and ratings of the Royal Navy, the Victory has seen over 200 years of almost continuous service.

Paul Earland, Victoria Road, Saltaire.