Your article (Bottle banks welcomed by annoyed residents, July 1, 2005) contained an inaccuracy about the alleged refusal of Verdant Group plc to remove empty water bottles following the local water discolouration problem.

While I understand residents' impatience and frustration with that situation, I must correct your reporter's erroneous statement that Verdant was culpable in this matter. Verdant is only responsible for street cleansing in the Wycombe area, not refuse collection. Collecting waste, which includes discarded water bottles, is the responsibility of waste contractor Onyx.

If this unusual situation had been Verdant's responsibility, rest assured that we would have acted quickly to provide the helping hand' that residents clearly deserved in this case.

Roger Edwards, Business development director, Verdant Group