PLEASE don't knock the rag and bone men who call round to collect unwanted metal, broken down household appliances etc.

Spare a thought for those of us who do not have cars and the disabled who cannot take things to the recycling centre.

For us, the service provided by them is valuable.

If we can hear them calling over their tannoy we can put stuff out on the day, avoiding an untidy mess in the garden or at the roadside.

Several readers have complained about the noise of the tannoy and about people leaving things out for collection. For me, the noise is minimal, and no more annoying than the ruckus of the ice-cream van or the banging and clanging of the bin men each week.

Even if we were to ask CWAC to collect these large and unwanted items, they would still need to be left out in the garden for several days for collection.

The rag and bone men are doing their bit for recycling and their service is free, so please dear readers, stop your complaining.

Raine Alexander Barnton