SIR – I for one will not be sorry when the Council’s grass cutters cease to mow the verges where I live.

I am now in my mid-eighties and for the past 27 years have mown my own and my neighbours’ verge at the front of my property, and also the long stretch along the full length of my house (a corner bungalow).

The Council men leave the grass until it grows much too long and then leave the debris to blow all over the neighbourhood, coming back after several days to clear it, after the damage has been done.

It doesn’t help that young local children use bundles of it as missiles, but at least it’s a non-violent game!

I have requested the men to leave it alone each time a new team has arrived as I prefer to keep it immaculate myself.

The same applies to the pathways when we have snow, when very few people clear a way through, unlike in my younger days when every shopkeeper and the majority of households cleaned their own areas.

Most neighbours think I’m mad but I get a good deal of satisfaction from seeing it looking neat.

Catherine R Thomas, Grovelands, Bradford