There's a huge fuss across Sussex over which sites should be used for waste.

But it would be much better if most of the rubbish in our dustbins never went there in the first place.

Many residents are making plenty of noise saying they don't want tips or incinerators in their back yards.

But the tiny Church Lane

Residents' Association in Southwick has sensibly suggested some ideas should come from the top rather than the bottom.

After all, if the Government passed laws restricting the amount of

packaging on products, there would be less waste in the first place.

It could also give greater incentives for recycling which would help the three councils in Sussex dealing with waste achieve their ambitious targets.

There's a limit to what councils can do to reduce waste. Unless the

Government gives them help, parts of this county are still in danger of being engulfed by an ever-increasing mountain of rubbish.

Welcome guest

Architect John Wells-Thorpe will celebrate the millennium a day late because he's hiring himself out on New Year's Eve to the highest

bidder.

John's willing to do anything legal provided there's a good payment for the Martlets Hospice in Hove.

His suggestions include being a barman, after-dinner speaking and washing up. He's even prepared to do several jobs in succession.

So if someone gets him to serve drinks before a banquet, propose a witty toast and clear away all the mess later, this labourer will really have proved worthy of his hire.

Bonus blunder

Owen Payton from Brighton is still receiving State benefits even though he died in April, because of a blunder by civil servants.

His widow Jacqueline's doing everything possible to sort out the mess even though some would have kept quiet.

She says there are people still

living who really need the cash. This widow's honesty and concern restores our faith in human nature.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.