Sir,

Once again the old chestnut problem of the A-frame advertising boards crops up to worry our already over-burdened town and county councils. How many complaints have been made? One or a hundred? Where did it occur? Was medical treatment needed? Was the shop owner aware of the incident?

Nobody it seems has the answer to any of the above. All we know is there has been a complaint. It amazes me that a simple advertising device that has been in use for centuries should have such an hypnotic effect on guide dogs that it allows them to let their owners crash into them.

There doesn’t seem to be a problem with street furniture, or council waste bins. Chairs and tables outside every other shop are easily avoided. Dropped kerbs! No. And no one has impaled themselves on any of the many bollards that adorn every pavement. Only a humble A-board gets it in the neck.

As to the boards being thrown onto the back of a lorry! That’s a new one on me. I have knocked about this old town for many a long year, and I would have certainly known the boys who were on such an operation.

So I ask the councillors to give the boards a break and concentrate on some of the more pressing problems, such as the late night drunken behaviour and the vandalism.

And don’t forget ‘The Walls’ - they should keep everyone concerned busy right up to retirement.

Ed Stapleton,