SIR - While on a recent walk round the Lowesmoor canal basin, I observed that freshwater mussels up to 3cm were covering bicycles and other objects that had been dredged from the basin.

I have often seen them in the river Teme but was surprised to see them obviously quite happily breeding in almost stagnant water.

Perhaps another reader could help and let me know if this is usual.

CHRISTINE SILVESTER, Worcester.