Colin McCrae, of Crowther’s Hill, Dartmouth, writes:

It is obvious to any of us who live permanently in Dartmouth that weeds are and have been a problem since early spring this year. I noted that North and South Embankment were sprayed, and interestingly also the areas around the trees –

but other areas have had no attention whatsoever.

Most residents deal with their own properties, but the majority of second homes and holiday homes get little attention – and why should they?

Glyphosate weed killers, while not yet banned, are increasingly being phased

out by councils and utility ­companies, but there are ­alternatives.

Mix one cup of Epsom salt and one tablespoon of Castile soap with five litres of 10 per cent acidity white vinegar, and hey presto!, a decent weedkiller that doesn’t hurt animals, insects, birds or children.

Anyway, some of the weeds are flowering now and will soon look attractive.