I WAS amused by Sue Schubert's spirited, if rather desperate, defence of Wyre Forest District Council's ill-disguised reduction in waste disposal services (Shuttle/Times & News, January 2).

I hope she is equally amused when she spots the first rats scuttling around her bin and those of her neighbours after a warm spell, or by the flies attracted to the delightful stench at the end of July, perhaps.

If the planet is indeed warming up, then this is hardly the occasion to leave rotting refuse uncollected for twice as long as has always been considered normal and responsible in a civilised and health-conscious society.

Will redundant binmen be retrained as rodent-control officers? Has the council sufficient reserves of our money to meet the legal costs expected when they are sued, collectively and individually, the first time a child is bitten by a rat when putting rubbish in a wheelie bin?

Also, some householders may find it sensible to check their fire insurance before allowing paper and card or other combustibles to accumulate for "more than 10 days" on their premises, usually in their kitchens.

Of course, those of us with proper fireplaces and chimneys could always burn it all, couldn't we?

R WADDINGTON

Meadow Rise

Bewdley