SIR - Following the most welcome announcement of the plans by Otley Town Council to improve the Orchardgate toilet facilities which were reported in the Wharfedale Observer on January 24, I would like to clear up any ambiguity about the priority which these improvements have in the Town Council, following earlier correspondence published in your newspaper.

The working group set up to manage the improvements is working hard on several fronts: it is not simply a matter of taking over the facilities and expecting them to refurbish themselves.

As announced in the town council budget, some money has been allocated for their maintenance and refurbishment. Unfortunately, not all the projected amount could be raised through the annual precept as this would have increased the precept by significantly more than inflation. The group is therefore now seeking further sources of funding.

We are in negotiation with the current landlords to arrange a suitable lease of the toilet buildings and also with building companies to provide specifications and projected costs for the whole refurbishment project.

Further, we are detailing plans to ensure the ongoing maintenance, cleaning and longer opening hours of the facilities The group and the town council recognise the importance of these facilities to the residents of Otley and visitors to our town and we will work as quickly as possible to refurbish the toilet facilities

Coun Lawrence Ross Chairman, EED Committee,Otley Town Council

Cleaning up

SIR, - I am writing regarding a letter in a recent postbag contribution from Mr Sowden of Otley complaining of litter on Kirkgate.

For the past 20 years I have been in charge of the cleansing of the Victorian Fayre since it started in 1987.

The reason why there was litter on the road and path at 10.30pm was because we do not start work on the cleansing of the Fayre until midnight. This is because at that time of night, the majority of the crowd has left the area, plus we have street cleaning machinery and a 15-tonne refuse vehicle that comes in with the Health and Safety.

So, while Mr Sowden was enjoying himself in a local hostelry, we were getting ready to go to work. So whilst Mr Sowden was tucked up in bed fast asleep, we were busy cleaning the rubbish from the streets.

I hope this has cleared up the matter for Mr Sowden.

Peter Wilson Street Cleansing, Leeds City Council.

Referendum call

SIR, - May I use your columns to encourage all your readers to participate in the referendum being held in the Pudsey constituency on the issue of the EU Constitution.

Regardless of people's personal views on Europe, it must surely be a matter of principle that politicians should honour the promises they make in their election manifestoes.

In common with all Labour candidates, Paul Truswell was elected in 2005 on the basis of a manifesto that contained the unconditional promise that a referendum would be held on the EU Constitution.

In the event, the French and Dutch beat us to it and rejected the treaty. But, after just a couple of years reflection, this same Constitution has been revived and repackaged as the Lisbon Treaty and the Government has refused to honour its promise.

The reason given for this scandalous breach of trust is that the Lisbon Treaty is significantly different from the original Constitution and that, in any case, the Government has negotiated red lines' to protect our interests.

This is manifestly untrue. All commentators from the Irish Prime Minister to Giscard d'Estaing, the author of the original constitution, acknowledge that the Lisbon Treaty is to all intents identical to the Constitution rejected by the French and Dutch.

As for the red lines, they are more like red herrings since they are the same as those negotiated by Tony Blair for the original Constitution.

Pudsey voters have every right to feel angry that they have been lied to and deceived. They should take this unique opportunity to hold the Government to account by taking part in the ballot which will arrive through the post in the next few days.

If anyone is not yet on the electoral roll, they should contact the Electoral Reform Society on 0208 889 9203 as soon as possible and ask for ballot papers to be sent to their address.

Andrew Cope Chief Executive, Anglia House,Holly Park Mills,Calverley.

Praise for NHS

SIR, - Recently I have had need of the NHS for the care of a relative. Being the first to complain when service is poor I feel it is important to praise when service is excellent.

Firstly I would like to thank the local GP, the ambulance man and Leeds General Infirmary for their speed and efficiency.

Secondly, many grateful thanks to Dr Bradley and his team of nurses at Wharfedale Hospital for their superb care and understanding.

Thirdly, I would like to thank the district nurses and the carers from Rest Assured for their patience, kindness and consideration; last but not least my thanks to the chemist for the delivery of medication.

I will forever be very grateful to all these people who belong to the NHS which, when set in motion, is a magnificent machine. Thankyou, Sara P Drake Station Road, Otley

Wrong butterfly

SIR, - I enjoyed this week's Nature Notes (Wharfedale and Airedale Observer) about the early and late sightings of butterflies but surely the Red Admiral' you pictured was a Painted Lady?

J A Mortimer Sent by e-mail FOOTNOTE: Mr Mortimer is quite right. Our sub-editor, whose only previous experience of butterflies has been in the tummy, inadvertently selected the wrong picture. We are happy to correct the error.

Holiday plea

SIR, - Did you holiday at the Club Seray Forest in Marmaris, Turkey in May 2005 and remember the guy with two young kids who broke his leg and was sitting in the hotel foyer with his leg in a cast for a week?

Well that guy was me and I would have been lost if it were not for the kindness of the people who were there on holiday. I would love to hear from anyone who was there at the time and met me so I could thank you for being so kind.

Please contact Mark on 01752-216014 or (kbcc@hotmail.co.uk).

Mark Johns Plymouth