I am writing in response to the letter from Chris Martin in the Hereford Times on December 4.

I would just like to point out to this correspondent that if it wasn't for the year round efforts of gamekeepers rearing pheasants for the seasonal shoot, they would hardly exist in the wild in Britain.

Much of the woodland you see is there only because it is maintained and paid for by those who want to rear these birds for just such a pursuit.

This letter just highlighted the lack of knowledge many people have of the workings of the countryside.

It doesn't look like it does by accident, there are thousands of men and women who work to maintain the beautiful scenery that you see when you pay a visit to rural areas.

No bank holidays or Sunday lie ins for these folk who battle against red tape and lack of understanding to maintain precious rights of way and threatened woodland from the encroaching pollution.

Jennifer Goodman,

Nicholas Farm,

Winforton