I READ with interest the article about York and no doubt most other city centres which are doing battle to keep our pavements "gum free".

My husband and I recently enjoyed a few days away in Berlin celebrating our wedding anniversary.

The streets were both litter free and gum free.

We noticed attached and moulded into their public litterbins were pots for depositing gum and cigarette butts.

Maybe York council could inquire about getting them here?

Cost wise, after the initial set up it may work out cheaper than the cost of recent "gumbusting" around our beautiful city.

Mrs Philippa Howe,

Plantation Grove,

York.

Updated: 10:40 Wednesday, July 27, 2005