I refer to your article (Borehamwood & Elstree Times, June 11), entitled Council's recycling effort is rubbished.

Some time ago, spurred on by my desire to do my bit for the environment, I purchased a Blackwall composter bin, as recommended by Hertsmere Borough Council.

The sales leaflet claimed that anyone could transform their kitchen scraps and garden waste into useful compost by installing this compostor in their garden.

I carefully followed all the instructions for obtaining the best results from this container despite having some difficulty in acquiring some of the recommended natural activators which included seaweed, comfrey, urine, and animal manure from vegetarian pets only.

The instructions stated that the compost is ready when it doesn't look like any of the things you put in, it should be brown and crumbly with no unpleasant odours.

I regret to announce that one year on my compost looks exactly like all the things I put in, is covered with flies and smells like an unburied mound of mad cow diseased animals.

I have tried hard to ascertain why this should be. I even consulted my wife who said that I could do what I liked with the results of my labour as long as I did not put it anywhere near her prized roses. I would be most grateful to hear from any of your readers who have used this composter and have managed to produce a brown and crumbly result with no unpleasant odour.

Eamonn O'Gorman The Rise Elstree