RECENTLY the nation has apparently been conned into choosing a so-called “national bird”. We have subsequently been assured that the robin was chosen but quite why there was such a need is beyond me.

However, recent newspaper coverage and television comment has surely shown another contestant more worthy of the accolade. Surely the seagull must take the honours.

I refer to those birds, regardless of family, whose constant harsh and ugly cries, and filthy habit of defecating over acres of town and city centres across the land, ruin what would otherwise be an enjoyable visit.

Further to suggestions that eggs of these birds should be destroyed in order to put an end to this filth and noise, they should be eliminated entirely – eggs, birds and all. It must be possible for pest controllers to carry out such a task.

Every town and city including those in this and neighbouring counties is now overwhelmed by these gulls.

Like many of our native species such as foxes and deer, they have made their home in urban areas over recent decades, mainly because of the ready access to food.

The filth thus brought to our towns and cities should not be tolerated. Because they are here does not mean nothing should be done to remove them.

If the nation’s pet dogs deposited filth at the same rate they would undoubtedly be banned from town and city centres, and rightly so.

Because these gulls are wild creatures nothing apparently should be done. Why should that be?

The blind anthropomorphism of those who decry every attempt to clean up our urban areas by their removal lacks credibility.

These birds have no place in our towns; at the coast there is surely no sound more evocative than the cry of seabirds but the same sound in the town centres fills one with dread.

RON HILL Yarpole