IN March this year Aldi took the responsible decision to stop selling disposable barbecues in all its outlets nationwide.

Sadly other retail giants have not followed suit.

My local Co-op has had two large displays of small and large disposable barbecues just inside the entrance for the last couple of months.

I cannot understand why the government has not banned the sale of single-use barbecues or at least banned their use in public places.

It is not only the fire hazard that they pose (especially at this time when we are facing the most extreme heat wave since records began) but just two weeks ago a 10-year-old boy in Wales suffered severe burns (so serious that he required skin grafts) when he stepped on sand that had retained the extreme heat generated by a disposable barbecue that had been used and moved away ‘to a place of safety’.

Anyone using a disposable barbecue in a public place over the next few days, as temperatures soar to an unprecedented high of 40C, must be several sandwiches short of a picnic or just plain stupid.

ROBERT READMAN

Norwich Avenue West, Bournemouth