THE head of Swindon Services, John Short, is quick to jump to the defence of his employees, when they are criticised by disgruntled council tax payers... and rightly so since I believe that, in general, they give good value for money.

There is one matter, however, which I cannot understand. Our refuse collectors are not allowed to take garden refuse unless it is deposited separately in special green plastic sacks which householders must purchase from the council. Why, therefore, are these green sacks invariably thrown into the dust-cart on top of the other refuse, only to end up on a land-fill site? Hardly environmentally friendly, Mr Short!

T Godfrey

Shaw

Swindon