ON SATURDAY, November 13, at around 12.15pm, I was walking along Cloisters Walk to pass in front of what used to be the County Hospital building.

Walking alongside me was a mother, father and two children.

The young girl had in her hand a paper bag with what appeared to be tuna and cucumber or similar sandwich, but the bag was coming apart and dripping juice and the girl kept asking what she should do with it and holding it in front of her at arms length.

The mother then asked the father. He promptly said to the girl to put it "down there and the cats or the mice or even the birds would come along and eat it".

"Down there" was on the ground amongst the fallen leaves against the beginning of the wall.

It's no wonder there are so many litter louts around. Children only learn by example and if adults, who should know better, throw rubbish just anywhere, then it's obvious their offspring will also become litter louts.

Janet S Kitchen,

Ashley Park Road, York.

Updated: 11:28 Friday, November 19, 2004