THE report in The Press of February 5 regarding the release of 180 balloons by the new Haxby Road Primary Academy shows that the problems caused by such events still don’t seem to be understood by some people.

Even if so-called bio-degradable balloons are used they take years to break down and even then, they never completely break down and remain in the environment, putting wildlife at risk from entanglement or mistaken consumption – as the bright colours can be mistaken as food by animals and birds.

There are many alternative ways to celebrate which can be found at mcsuk.org This site also contains the details of the many beach cleans carried out by the Marine Conservation Society, including the ones at Robin Hoods Bay, to which I would like to invite Haxby Road Primary Academy to attend.

David March, Springhill Court, Tadcaster.