With the Britain In Bloom judges due in York shortly, I do hope they will have time to view the magnificent floral displays on many of the approach roads into the city.

The bright yellow flowers of Senecio Jacobaea - common ragwort - have certainly brightened up many verges. I would expect somebody, if not the judges, to ask the City of York Council to fulfill their duties under the 1959 Weed Act and Ragwort Control Act 2003 and remove this poisonous weed.

Unless, of course, the intention is to encourage its spread on to as much farmland as possible and hasten the development of some more greenfields. The "No Pride Inaction Line" strikes again.

M Warters, Yew Tree Mews, Osbaldwick.

A City of York Council spokeswoman said: "The council is aware of its responsibilities under the 1959 Weed Act and Ragwort Control Act 2003. The council has hand-pulled ragwort every year since 2000 along all of the verges that it manages.

One of the areas that was originally badly affected was the A1237 outer ring road, and this year there are some long stretches of this road that have no ragwort at all, which shows that we are getting on top of the problem.

"The main time to pull the ragwort is now, in July, when it is at its most obvious, but before it has chance to set seed. A contactor, working on behalf of the council, is currently working its way around the city. There is usually a second trawl around potential problem areas in September, as there is sometimes late growth.

"The seeds are very light and can travel many miles. They can also lie dormant for up to eight years.

"Given the ease with which it can spread, the council is happy to hear from anyone who can help us pinpoint problem areas, phone 01904 553390."