THERE have been a number of letters and comments in your columns recently in respect of the amount of discarded litter which blights the beauty of the areas we live in.

Such are the times that so many people give no thought to throwing their rubbish down where they want with no consideration to the cleanliness of the local environment.

The membership of the West Cliff Green Residents Association conducts regular litter picks around the West Cliff Green which we are so privileged to live by. When people see a litter-free area I believe people are less likely to deposit their rubbish. In the same way when people see an area where fly-tipping takes place, others soon follow suit unless it is stopped.

As a West Cliff community we work with the council.

We do everything possible to encourage visitors and locals alike to be responsible in respect of discarding their litter.

Yes, it is an uphill fight at times, especially when a group turns up and uses the green as an opportunity to drink alcohol and throw their empty cans anywhere, being too lazy to walk a few steps to the nearest bin.

When such incidents happen the local Police Safer Neighbourhood Team are often helpfully on hand to stop the associated anti-social behaviour and make sure the accompanying litter goes in the bins provided.

I believe the fight against litter is a joint responsibility that involves the local community initiatives of litter picks, the council and police working together.

CHRIS COLLEDGE, Chairman, West Cliff Green Residents’ Association