Brighton and Hove Council paid an extra £1.8 million a year when it chose Sita to clear up rubbish in the town.

But, after the first six months in charge, it is clear the French giant firm is not living up to expectations.

While street cleansing has not been too bad overall, there have been plenty of problems with refuse collections.

These have been particularly bad after the Christmas and Spring Bank Holidays with thousands of bins not being emptied.

Sita inherited big problems from all the various companies running rubbish services in the two towns previously, including different rates of pay and conditions.

But it has had time to sort out most of these difficulties and it really should be providing a better service than it does at present.

If improvements are not forthcoming immediately, Brighton and Hove could face a smelly summer.

Ask most householders what they think of the service offered so far and the answer may well be rubbish.

Keep it up Party in the Park has quickly become the best-attended and most popular annual event in Brighton and Hove.

It appeals to the young teenage group, which is often poorly catered for in these towns and others.

They can gather safely in broad daylight in Preston Park, listening to some of their favourite acts, in an area accessible to most homes by car, bus or foot.

Congratulations to the promoters and long may it continue to give pleasure to those intent on enjoying themselves and not the minority of troublemakers.

Beef with disc Male model Simon Spalding was upset when a children's CD from Burger King prevented him from doing his banking because it interfered with his computer.

Now the firm has withdrawn the promotional CD given to Simon and his family when they went for a meal in Hove.

There's a lesson for big catering firms here. They should stick to burgers and chips rather than microchips.