IF something is niggling you, don't put up with it, say something.

That's the motivational message from a man who played a key role in saving Middlewich from car parking charges.

Commercial photographer Alastair Griffiths says there is an art to complaining.

In his latest book, Just Saying, he shares a selection of serious and light-hearted letters he has written to get things off his chest.

From the Archbishop of Canterbury to Cheshire's chief constable, he has directed many of his tomes to the top.

Following his simple tips, he believes anyone can achieve a satisfactory result.

"You've got to go through the right channels," said Alastair, 65, of The Moorings. "Be nice, factual, don't waffle and don't fabricate."

Alastair recalls joining 70 residents in Middlewich at a public meeting to protest over the proposed introduction of parking charges back in 2009.

"The council had a black hole of £3 million and aimed to raise £3 million through parking charges," he said. "I informed everyone that the income from our two car parks for 12 months was just £26,000. I received the information from an FOI. The audience gasped.

"Councillors suddenly realised how stupid it was to risk the town and trade for the sake such a paltry sum. They wouldn't even make a profit by the time they covered all their costs.

"Parking charges have never been introduced in Middlewich."

Northwich Guardian:

Alastair Griffith's book Just Saying is a collection of letters and articles of complaint

Alastair wrote a whimsical letter to former Tesco boss Sir Terry Leahy after spotting Easter eggs on sale at the town's supermarket on the seventh day of Christmas.

"He wrote back and said how much he appreciated the time I'd spent putting the letter together."

Years ago, when the weather forecast was consistently wrong for weeks on end, Alastair complained to the BBC.

"I got a phone call from the weather desk wanting to chat to me," he said. "They apologised and explained how it was all done."

Sometimes, you have to be persistent.

"A motorbike used to give maximum revs all along St Michael's Way waking us up at 6am every day," he said. "I put up with it for two years. Eventually I got up and did a video of it, put it on YouTube and sent the police a link. Within a few days they got him."

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Alastair's sleep was often disturbed at 2am by ambulance and police sirens as emergency vehicles drove through the town.

"I wrote to the Chief Constable," he said. "And now we don't get any. This didn't just benefit me but the whole community.

"I don't just complain for the sake of it, only if I think something needs changing.

"If you get a result, write and thank them."

Just Saying is available on Amazon Books for £9.95.