ON A recent trip to Newport, I was invited by some old friends and neighbours in Pill to come down and enjoy a cup of tea and a chat. Driving to their house, it was hard to recognise the area. I have seen ghettos in the US that were cleaner and tidier. New Street area particularly was disgraceful.

I have noticed the decline over the years, but now it is an absolute disgrace. I expressed my disgust and discovered that what I had seen is an ongoing problem. Despite the gallant efforts of Pill Pride to periodically clean up the area, they no sooner finish and dispose of rubbish, than the area is back to looking like a tip again.

When I was growing up, there used to be such pride in the area. I remember bins being taken into back gardens as soon as they were emptied. Windows were cleaned frequently, front doorsteps scrubbed and door knockers polished. What has happened?

It is time the Council did something about the dumping of rubbish in the streets. Fine the people concerned. I am ashamed to say where I come from.

Ann M Brixey, Inverness, Florida