MADAM, Many of us enjoy the wonderful countryside in this area. Walking is a great way to keep fit and raise the spirits, and we have an excellent network of local footpaths.

Living on the borders of Herefordshire and Gloucestershire, I have always found Gloucestershire Public Rights of Way department extremely helpful, and indeed many of us local volunteers help in clearing and keeping the footpaths open.

Sadly, the same cannot be said of Herefordshire PROW department.

Directly off the Aston Ingham road at Little Gorsley, a newish gate and handrails have been put in. Take extreme care if you go through this gate! A three to four foot drop awaits you on the other side! Just a few steps would sort this problem, and I have reported this not once but four times (by letter, e-mail and phone) to Herefordshire PROW. No reply or even acknowledgement has ever been sent to me.

It is an accident waiting to happen. Wake up Herefordshire footpath department!

Gill Bebb

Kilcot, Newent