I TOTALLY agree with Ann Gray (Letters, July 2) about the dreadful state of the streets in the centre of York.

Covered with a layer of wrappings, general junk and food, they are a sad blot on what is regarded as one of Britain’s premier tourist attractions. If we want these people to return and furthermore not to tell their friends to avoid the place, something needs to be done and fast.

The usual argument is that there is a shortage of money to pay cleaners. So why not direct the unemployed to help clean the place up?

M C Usherwood, Mendip Close, Huntington, York.