YORK'S anti-litter patrol says it is hoped that the "carrot and stick approach" will discourage people from dropping litter across the city. (No ifs, no butts, July 30).

Handing out free tickets for York races or meal vouchers for the theatre to people seen putting litter where it should be is like preaching to the converted.

The minority of unconventional litter louts will still drop their rubbish without a thought and probably come from the sort of homes where you wipe your feet on the way out.

All that is required is that the existing litter laws are enforced with rigour.

Alongside this there should be a national programme of education which starts at an early age in the home.

My children bear witness as to how successful this is. Let's not beat about the bush, the sort of people who drop litter willy nilly are the sort who do not usually give a damn about anybody or anything.

Robert Waite,

Windmill Rise, York.

Updated: 09:25 Wednesday, August 03, 2005