I asked the council the cost of removing an old garden set of 6 chairs, a table and a parasol from my address. Their charge would be £70, they said.

They will come to your house if it is only 3 items and that will be £30 but to load another 8 items on the same vehicle with the same crew would be another £40. Forgive me for not understanding the logic of this, but does it not occur to them that exorbitant charges like this just be a cause of some of the flytipping we are beset with.

KEN WYATT

Church View, Aveley