Sir - I am amazed that Mr Walker seeks to speak on behalf of Kennington residents after a mere four months of living here. (Letters, February 1). I for one do not want an unsightly wheelie bin imposed on me, nor am I besieged with rats, despite having a stream running at the bottom of my garden. Rather than spending his time counting rats and waiting in frustration for councils to collect his rubbish Mr Walker might be interested to know that there is a council recycling plant within a few minutes walk from Kennington, where diligent residents such as myself regularly take their rubbish of their own accord.

Maybe, when Mr Walker has lived in Kennington a little longer, he will realise the advantages of living in a village where one still has the choice to use their own initiative instead of relying on the nanny state.

John McGhee, Kennington