I AM curious to know just where on our beautiful Malvern Hills the supposedly numerous obstacle courses of dog poo are to be found?

I have walked the length and breadth of the hills and common lands of this area for an average two hours a day for over 40 years. I have walked with my sons, my six grandchildren and with umpteen friends from far and near and between us we can count on the fingers of one hand the number of times that we have had the misfortune to tread in dog dirt.

During this same period, however, I would have needed a couple of large trucks to remove all the human detritus - you name it and it can be found on the hills. We have collected fast food wrappers, cans, bottles, empty cigarette cartons, used syringes, condoms and nappies and more recently neatly tied plastic bags of dog poo! None of which is biodegradable.

When the human race can be trained to take their filth home with them, the animal kingdom may well follow by example and remove their contributions - that is if the worms haven't got there first!

If we are to ban any living creature from the hills, please let it be humans. Their presence and discarded rubbish are far, far more detrimental to the countryside and its wildlife than a few dog defecations.

MRS SHIRLEY L CARTER, Spring Lane, Malvern Link.