THERE is a certain rough justice when the assistant bursar of Malvern College finds sheep muck on the carpets. Other local residents, and I, frequently have to secure the gates at the lower part of Wells Common, leading to Thirlstane Road, when they are deliberately pushed and left open by College pupils crossing the common on their way to the playing fields in Court Road.

This area of the common is securely fenced and gated. The sheep cannot stray across to the main building, or any other house in that vicinity, unless someone allows them to do so.

I have asked groups of College pupils to close the gates, and I have explained that this is essential to keep the sheep in their rightful area. I have either been told that pupils want to leave the gates open for their friends following behind or I have been totally ignored.

If the College cannot train its pupils to close gates, maybe they should be shepherded along the roads? The sheep have medieval rights on Common land, but I rather doubt if College pupils have commoners' rights.

Judith McGregor, Woodshears Road, Malvern.