I RECENTLY helped out a young lady who has moved into a property on the same estate I live on.

She was throwing out an old, small settee, which had been left outside her home for a few days.

I advised her to phone the council's refuse department, as I knew they had collection days for such unwanted items.

To my surprise, the refuse department asked her if she had the minimum £10 charge fee at hand for the covering cost of the removal.

I was shocked, as only a few months previous they had removed an old washing machine of mine free of charge!

The council had explained to the young lady that this was a new scheme the council had brought into action.

If any councillor or MP should read this letter, may I ask them why people pay council tax, and what exactly is council tax used for?

Some people cannot afford just to pull £10 out their pockets just for one item of furniture to be removed!

Is it any wonder we complain about back streets being used as tips? If the council are going to charge the public for this service, then it's inevitable that rubbish strewn in back streets is going to accumulate!

Alison Henderson

Bentley Court

Farnworth