I WOKE up on Easter Sunday and was very suprised to see an Eastleigh Council vehicle parked on the grass in Bishopstoke play area.

A council operative was working there: picking up litter, emptying bins, checking play equipment etc. Very admirable I am sure but hardly the most efficient use of council tax payers' money!

That worker had to be on double time and a day off in lieu! Couldn't the work have been carried out on the Saturday?

Then to cap it all when I asked him to pick up the piles of litter that, due to the wind, build up against our fence I was told that "it was not my job, someone else does that. I only do play areas.'' How stupid is that!

This means that another worker and another vehicle have to come back to pick up litter that was ten metres away from someone who was already there doing the same job!

Not only does this cost us more as taxpayers but additionally is a cost to the environment in fuel at a time when we are trying to reduce waste.

Would someone care to explain?

TIM PONSFORD, Bishopstoke.