A Brighton and Hove City Council spokesman stated that alternative rubbish collection dates over the bank holiday were "widely advertised". This is simply untrue. I telephoned the refuse collection contractor on Thursday, June 6, and was told the collection dates were distributed in the "free press".

Firstly, we did not get the free press and had not done

so for about five weeks. This was crushingly obvious because everybody put their rubbish out after the bank holiday on the Wednesday.

Secondly, had we received the free press, it would have been on Saturday lunchtime, soon after the empty dustcarts had cruised up our streets, on overtime, with their very light workload.

Thirdly, it is unlikely people check the recesses of the free press for such important information.

The contractors said: "Sorry, there was nothing we could do - you will have to wait until Monday next." Fine, except the load was obviously too great because only alternate streets were cleared and we waited until Tuesday - 15 days after our last proper collection.

Capital of culture? There was plenty growing on our bins and pavements, stinking out our houses over the two weeks. Where else? Only

good old Brighton and Hove, I am sure.

-Brian Snow, Margaret Street, Brighton