SIR — The fly-tipped waste outside Felicity Norman's garage, as reported in the Free Press last week, is very much regretted and I fully understand the distress and anger caused.

It is a sad commentary on our present society that there is small quotient of selfish, inconsiderate and uncaring people who see fit to behave in this way.

Where possible, local authorities will take action to prosecute, but when fly-tipping occurs on private land it is the unfortunate landowner who becomes responsible for clearing up the mess.

Changes made at recycling centres provide no excuse for fly-tipping.

The changes are much regretted by Somerset Waste Partnership too, but economies have to be made due to financial constraints. As the following should clarify, it is still not difficult to take responsibility for your own waste.

Businesses have always been responsible for making proper arrangements and paying the costs for their waste. Service providers are listed in many directories and advice is available on our website at http://www.somersetwaste.gov.uk">www.somersetwaste.gov.uk.

Domestic collection services are provided and all types of household waste can be taken to our recycling sites. They are open throughout the week and most remain free to use for household materials.

All 18 of Somerset's recycling sites are open 8am-4pm on Saturday, 8am-1pm on Sundays and 8am-7pm on Mondays.

In West Somerset, Minehead Recycling Centre is open 8am-4pm on Tuesday and Wednesday and Dulverton Community Recycling Site and Williton Recycling Centre are open 8am-4pm on Thursday and Friday.

To avoid its closure, there is an entry fee of £2 at Dulverton Community Recycling Site, but this does not apply at Minehead or Williton Recycling Centres.

Material charges at all sites only apply to the following items, which are not defined as household waste -hardcore, soil, tyres and gas bottles. Household materials can be deposited and recycled for free.

Full details are available on our website (http://www.somersetwaste">www.somersetwaste. gov.uk), on signs at each site or by contacting Somerset Direct on 0845 345 9188.

Cllr Derek Yeomans,

Chairman,

Somerset Waste Board.