SIR - In response to Mr Grove's letter (October 10), I would like to inform him that the ashtray outside the Memorial Hall in Dunster was put in place by the Memorial Hall at the request of Dunster Parish Council because of the state of the area in front of the hall. They considered it disrespectful to the brave men of Dunster who served in both World Wars to have 'extinguished cigs' littering the pavement immediately beneath a commemoration plaque. It was not a solution but was preferable to the alternative. Even now, the area has to be cleared frequently, largely due to cigarettes. The ashtray also has to be emptied frequently, making one wonder how bad the situation would be if the ashtray was not there. Unfortunately, after the ashtray was installed, the plaque had to be lowered because of the state it was in - due to nesting birds taking up residence in the roof. The ashtray, unfortunately, does need to be in a prominent position so people cannot use the excuse 'I did not see it'. I feel Mr Grove should direct his "concern and anger" at the large minority who insist on throwing finished cigarettes on the floor. Some of these 'extinguished cigs' are directly beneath the ashtray. The ashtray has been in place for more than a year, without a single complaint - even from the ex-servicemen who regularly come to Dunster. Doug Challoner, 12a Haven Close, Dunster.