WHEN we talk about anti-social behaviour nowadays we usually imagine it to be one of a multitude of misbehaviours like binge drinking, inconsiderate neighbours or reckless driving.

Whilst this type of behaviour is certainly selfish there are other forms of anti-social behaviour which have an even greater impact on neighbourhoods but often go unreported or resolved.

The issue I refer to is the act of burning rubbish in gardens; bonfires!

The problem with bonfires are many; they produce clouds of smelly, choking smoke which permeates every corner of the house; the smoke may be toxic, dependent on what is being burnt and a single bonfire is likely to release more carbon into the atmosphere in one afternoon than a gas-guzzling diesel engine does in a whole year!

As an asthmatic with a young family I do my best to avoid situations in which I and my family are exposed to fumes and smoke, but how can I avoid it if it’s a bonfire that’s producing the smoke?

I would like to see the burning of any waste in gardens made illegal; after all businesses are not allowed to simply burn their waste, so why should homeowners?

G WHITTAKER, The Chase, Verwood