Today, I received a threatening letter from Brighton and Hove City Council. I would imagine all the other people in our road also received the same letter.

Apparently, some people are putting rubbish out on the wrong day. Now, without any warning, the council is threatening to refer such persons to the legal services team for prosecution.

They tell us the unauthorised disposal of waste is a criminal offence under Section 87 of the Environmental Protection Act but that law deals with fly tipping, not confusion over the day rubbish is collected.

Perhaps people simply don't know which day the rubbish should be put out because they have recently moved to the area, or are confused because it isn't always collected on the right day.

Whatever the reason, I resent my council tax being wasted on threatening letters.

This is a very heavy-handed approach - typical of the New Labour era - to a problem which could be solved by publicising the collection day with posters on lampposts in each road.

I shall be taking this up with my local councillors and hope others will do the same.

-Tim Walker, Brighton