ALMOST 70 members of the public responded to Christmas cards sent out by City of York Council's Neighbourhood Services, asking them to let them know about problem areas in the city.

Liz Levett, the council's Street Environment manager, said: "As well as cleaning up target areas, we have also arranged for street environment officers to patrol problem areas more regularly so we can keep on top of any issues. We hope the festive campaign will bring lasting improvements to the way the city looks."

But Labour deputy leader Coun Ruth Potter criticised the Lib Dem administration's campaign and described street services as a total failure'.

Coun Potter, Labour spokeswoman for Neighbourhood Services, said: "This is an admission of guilt that the Lib Dems are not doing their job properly.

"It is shocking that nearly 70 members of the public had to write to the council to solve a problem that should have already have been fixed.

"We all pay council tax for services like street cleaning, refuse collection, and graffiti removal.

"These day-to-day services should be dealt with properly.

"The fact that more than 50 per cent of the cards raised issues about street cleaning, 30 per cent of responses were concerned about graffiti and the remainder raised issues with refuse, litter and highways problems is appalling."