I AM writing to say how brilliant our dustbin men are! They are always cheery and friendly, and seem to really enjoy their work, as well as taking whatever rubbish we leave out. We and the neighbours have left bikes, lawnmowers, garden chairs etc. and they take the lot!

What a total contrast to my sister-in-law's refuse collectors in Cheltenham, where they only collect every two weeks and then won't take anything too heavy or what they call 'contaminated' and you're lucky if you can get a hello, goodbye or 'how's your father?' out of any of them.

So well done to our dustbin men and to the Forest district council for keeping up weekly collections.

– Elaine and Peter Holmes, Dean Crescent, Littledean.