Marion Ormerod is quite right to state that litter is a dreadful eyesore and what is needed is a team of litter pickers to deal with it.

The reality of the situation, however, is that there simply are not the resources available to provide such teams.

That is why here on the West Cliff we regularly organise a team of volunteers to undertake litter picks. The next one is this Saturday, March 7.

This project has now operated for several years and is a collaboration between residents, local businesses and the council.

The council supply us with bags, gloves and fluorescent vests as well as grabbers and ensure that the full bags are removed the same day.

The residents and participating businesses provide the manpower. When they are able, some local councillors come and lend a hand.

I know that in an ideal world either people would not drop litter or the council would employ pickers, but we have to work within the constraints which exist.

We take the view that our environment is worth more than standing on a principle and clear up the mess in our area as well as repairing burned areas of grass from illegal barbecues. The interesting thing to note is that the less litter there is, the less people drop.

If there is litter around, folk have no compunction about adding to it.

Colin Pipe, Grand Marine Court, Bournemouth