I SEEK the Liberty to encourage the return of Otters to our Vale of Evesham Rivers. To watch them enjoying their unique Livelihood, whose continued success would be a sure indicator of the health of our threatened Waterways.

Men and their Dogs pounding through our streams and rivers, hell bent on hounding to death any animal they encounter, whether Mink as main target, or Otter as an incidental victim, threatens that Liberty.

I have to confess that my great grandfather, Head Keeper on a large Northern estate, would not understand, if alive to-day, why his country born and bred great grandson should wish to oppose hunting with hounds.

But then in his day Otters weren't under such threat and believe it or not, attitudes and times do change! No more so than from when he honestly and loyally pursued his Livelihood, in that 'County Set' era that is now almost pre-history to my generation.

So what would be the chances for my future Liberty and Livelihood be, do you think, if I joined the Countryside Alliance March on September 22 holding aloft a banner that proclaimed 'Ban the hunting with Dogs, of Otters, Hares and Foxes'?

A greater appreciation of what being 'hounded' means, perhaps!

MICHAEL PARKER, Main Street, Sedgeberrow, near Evesham.