Not beggars on the streets of London, but a family of Malaysian holidaymakers unable to return home because of the chaos continuing to blight Heathrow Terminal 5.The terminal was meant to help rebuild Britain's reputation as country that works, encouraging a new generation of tourists and entrepreneurs to visit these shores.

But images like these - seen around the world - will reinforce the opinion held by some that Britain is a country in decline, no longer able to pull off major enterprises.

Agencies like VisitBritain are charged with promoting positive images of this country, such as this photo of Bamburgh Castle, Northumberland, part of the recent Britain On View exhibition in London.

But Britons and people who visit the UK regularly know that there is another side to the country very different from the rural idyll portrayed on the tourist posters.

We would like Telegraph.co.uk to help us compile a gallery of Britain's underbelly, complete with littered streets, offensive graffiti and over-crowded public transport.

Please send us your alternative tourist board photos, along with a short description of the scenes. We will aim to publish a gallery later in the week.