A VOLUNTEER who drives elderly and disabled people says he is appalled at the state of the uneven and badly-drained ground close to the entrance to one centre used by them. Peter Robbins, of Caldecote, near Baldock, said: For the past year I have acted a

A VOLUNTEER who drives elderly and disabled people says he is appalled at the state of the uneven and badly-drained ground close to the entrance to one centre used by them.

Peter Robbins, of Caldecote, near Baldock, said: "For the past year I have acted as a volunteer driver in three community service schemes, taking elderly and disabled people to hospitals, clinics and social centres.

"One of the places I go to on a regular basis is the Howard Garden Social and Day Care Centre on Norton Way South in Letchworth GC, where a team of dedicated workers - mostly volunteers - does wonderful work for the old people who come along to the various activities.

"Over the past year, the pools of water and churned-up mud outside the centre have gradually got worse and worse and the elderly experience considerable difficulties in negotiating their way past.

"Last week, I spoke to one of the ladies in charge at the centre and asked if there was any likelihood of improvement to the mess. She said she had asked North Herts District Council 'again and again and again', but nothing was happening."

A spokesman for the district council said: "Following the matter being raised by a councillor and by the social centre's management committee, some patching has been done to the potholes and the tarmac is to be re-laid in the very near future.