Our photo's of the discarded waste around the Salisbury Village estate tells its own tale of woe. Clearly the cheap broken beds and budget furniture are indicators that the source of this refuse comes from the buy-to-let properties where absent landlords often use the summer break to clear out student-let houses.

The results litter the streets for weeks on end. But who are the people picking up the bill for the final clearance?

The Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council has three Conservative 'Hatfield Villages' representatives; Councillors Lynne Sparkes, Duncan Bell and ex Mayor Howard Morgan. But are they aware of the awful state of affairs on their patch? And, if so, what are they doing about it?

Apart from the wholesale neglect of gardens and general maintenance work, and the litter that is piled up everywhere; the casual visitor is met by the sight of homes that are boarded up, gutted by fire and even have garages that appear to have been illegally converted into living accommodation as landlords attempt to squeeze out maximum profits from their investments.

So, councillors, we would welcome your comments on the awful state of affairs that exist for families living on the estate.