LITTER has long since ceased to be a mere nuisance and should be recognised as a serious public health concern and national disgrace.

Relatives from Canada who drove the length and breadth of the country returned to report that our road network was “like a giant garbage dump”. A friend from Spain, whose group’s short visit saw them confined to the rubbish-strewn, gum-spattered, cigarette-end dappled central belt, described our urban environment as a pigsty.

Perhaps we should invite Donald Trump to pen words on his mother’s homeland for VisitScotland’s promotional literature. We know from his recent geopolitical musings that The Donald has just the word to describe the condition of Scotland.

John McInally,

7 Hunter Street, Airdrie.