IN response to Colin Briden's letter ('Ousing filth', April 16), I must defend the group that will, no doubt, be held solely responsible for the litter in the Ouse.

While anglers will be one of the parties proportionately to blame for some of the items discarded in the river, there are many other river users who contribute greatly to the situation.

Mr Briden calls the people of York the main contributors to the sorry mess, but this is probably not the case, because the Ouse is merely a drainage channel for the Swale, Ure, and Nidd rivers and surrounding countryside.

This points the finger at all urban conurbations from Richmond, Hawes and north of Pateley Bridge to the city, including all residential areas in between.

As he correctly says, much of the rubbish is wind and flood-borne, but this comes from far above the city.

It is also very interesting that he reports seeing porpoises below Naburn Falls, because anglers, too, have noted seals there recently.

Periodic clean ups are undertaken by British Waterways, and anglers are regularly requested to remove litter and leave the banks as they would like to find them, but the amount of unsightly litter is such that it is virtually an impossible task.

Perhaps Mr Briden would like to consider joining the York Natural Environment Trust and pursue his environmental concerns through that organisation.

R Hutchinson,

General Secretary,

York & District Amalgamation of Anglers,

Manor Park Close,

York.

Updated: 09:49 Saturday, April 23, 2005