NESTON reader, Jeremy Oliver, is being stung by the rates!

He writes: "Congratulations on your Heswall and Neston Globe. How about using it to sort out a problem that affects residents but is controlled by two different councils?

"Some 20 years ago, it was almost impossible to go out into the garden on summer evenings, or to walk at Parkgate, without being 'bitten to death' by the mosquito menace.

"Thank goodness that Ellesmere Port and Neston Council decided to sort it out and spray the pools on the marshes, although the land is 'owned by the RSPB'.

"A few years ago they decided it was too expensive but after a public plea the spraying was re-introduced. Apparently this year they have again decided not to spray because the £14,000 cost is too much.

"This is probably less than £1 per head of the affected population... but we have two councils involved as well as the RSPB and English Nature.

"Do we need a collection around the affected houses or a special levy on local residents? I will pay willingly... but then I do pay my rates...(sorry Council Tax)," concludes Mr Oliver.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.