SIR — Earlier in 2008, I was unfortunate enough to irreparably damage a tyre when I unavoidable hit a pothole in the road.

No problem, perhaps the council would help me out with the £115 cost. Not a chance!

Apparently, if they are unaware of any pothole, then a legal nicety lets them completely off the hook, so they tell me.

I would consider the hole that I hit potentially dangerous; had anyone on two wheels hit it I doubt they would have kept their seat.

I naturally reported the hole immediately, but after having hit it, not before; you can see where I am going.

To save yourself from a similar fate and protect your family should someone coming the other way lose control, then you should report any serious hole in the road that you come across.

The council in Hampshire has provided a pothole reporting link on the home page of their website.

Visit www.hants.gov.uk and click Report a road problem.

Do it now and tell a friend.

Roy Sumpner, Main Street, Bishop Wilton, York.