SO Jason Rayner thinks that people who feed the pigeons in York should be fined (June 18). I certainly believe people who throw rubbish of any sort should be made to pay for the privilege, especially those who discard fast food boxes and the eternal crisp packets.

But, Jason, I am someone who feeds the pigeons, especially in cold weather, and hopefully will be able to continue indulging myself and these birds without having to pay through the nose.

I have an affection for these cheeky, gutsy, busy little creatures and when I am away from home I am always happy to see the way they flock around.

I read that thousands of them cannot survive the winter and it makes me sad. They have such a hard fight to make it, what with the difficulties to find food, the traffic and crowds in big cities, and the fact that so many people share Jason's view that they are pests.

As far as I am concerned, pigeons are harmless and attractive members of the bird family with as much right to live as any other.

Heather Causnett,

Escrick Park Gardens,

Escrick, York.

Updated: 11:16 Tuesday, June 22, 2004