SO, it's that time again. Dartmoor National Park Authority covering Dartmoor with notices asking the public to keep their dogs on a lead for the protection of 'lambs and ground-nesting birds'.

What a joke! A large number of the visitors seldom venture more than a few metres from the paths and tracks, with only one, maybe two dogs, leaving a huge area of deep moor totally undisturbed.

Hunts canter and gallop, maybe 25 horses, same number of hounds, plus terriermen on quads, sweeping wide areas of the moor, penetrating deep into the quietest parts.

Anyone watching them can see the skylarks flying up, and plenty of footage exists of them riding through flocks of sheep sending them running.

Last Saturday the Mid Devon Hunt even held 'races' before its meet. No consideration was given to birds, or livestock, never mind the stupidity of racing horses across the uneven ground, littered with granite stones.

Maybe the signs should be changed to 'No public, hunts' private playground' .

MRS Y STREET Okehampton