I TOTALLY agree with Mrs M Morley (Letters, April 11) with regards to the ''mess'' in Morton Stanley Park.

Having used the park regularly since I was only a toddler myself, I now enjoy taking my 19-month-old son there.

As a responsible dog owner and a parent, I always carry a "poop scoop" and I object to all dog-owners constantly being branded as irresponsible.

A lot of the mess is in fact, as Mrs Morley rightly points out, created by vandals.

If only just a little of our ever-increasing council tax could be spent on maintaining this beautiful area more effectively and perhaps installing more much-needed benches, perhaps this would encourage greater respect for such a lovely place.

Finally, I would just like to point out to your correspondent of April 4 that to confine a dog to a short lead in the park is cruel.

Our cocker spaniel runs free and thoroughly enjoys herself.

If a law was introduced that prohibited this, I'd certainly have something to say about it.

Mrs Rachel C Bourne

BA (Hons) Law

Reynard Close

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