WALKING along the River Foss on a bright but cold day, looking around and seeing how the river and its banks had regenerated themselves, I noted that barely four months since the terrible flooding the trees, bushes and grass had sprung into life.

The river was clear with the odd fish darting in and out of the weeds, the lilies starting to unfold, the reeds starting to poke through the surface of the water.

Coots and water hens snuggled down on their nests, the ducks and geese hidden away from prying eyes in their secret nesting places, blackbirds with mouths full of worms feeding hungry young.

Isn’t nature wonderful? The only downside being the silt and debris on the river bed, branches, sunken logs, pots swept from gardens, cycles and assorted rubbish.

Once covered with silt it will become a trap to anyone falling into the river.

Nature can regenerate itself but can’t clean up after careless people.

D M Deamer, Penleys Grove Street, Monkgate, York