The residents of Hillview, West Wimbledon, have been informed that on rubbish collection days we must put out our rubbish before 6am.

As anybody who lives in this part of Wimbledon knows we do not have a realistic option of putting out rubbish the previous night because this would guarantee that the following day we would find that the contents had been scattered by foxes.

Consequently this demand by Merton is in effect a demand that we should get up before 6am to put out the rubbish.

What sort of world do we live in when such demands can be made on us? I also wonder what the Health and Safety Executive think about this because it implies a disturbance to our sleep patterns and thus an adverse effect on our health.

The Hillview residents are unanimously very angry about this demand, and will not forget this irresponsibility whatever happens.

I have delivered personally to the address of David Williams, leader of Merton Council, a document signed by all of us about this matter to enable him to mitigate the damage by taking prompt action today or tomorrow. I hope he has the sense to act with urgency.

ROBERT E BORLAND Hillview