SIR — Between October and the end of March, the National Trust (Holnicote Estate and Countryside Management) allows two local farmers to graze their cattle over the whole of the North Hill and Selworthy Woods area which includes areas right down on the paths as far down as Selworthy Church and right up to the steps of Hurlstone Point - in fact anywhere where there is neither a fence nor the Bristol Channel impeding them.

Often these cattle congregate on steep, narrow paths or the entrance to gates also on paths and can occasionally be an encumbrance to passing walkers.

It is a pity cattle have to occupy the whole of this beautiful pathed walking area. Why not just part of it?

However, it is a thoroughly pointless blaming the farmers.

They cannot be made responsible for the inconvenience caused by damage to footpaths and the very real and present danger in either having a dog or a person trampled by offensive cattle charges, which in my experience is frequent enough to become a real irritation.

The farmers only do what they are quite entitled and permitted to do – release their cattle for grazing in this area.

Having walked these paths for 15 years with dogs on every occasion and experienced some very difficult situations on many, I can proffer my own personal advice:

1) If you are feeling the years and are a little less agile, walk this area with your dog during the summer months only.

2) If you love your dog as much as I do mine, avoid herds of cattle with calves which start moving aggressively towards you, even if this ruins your walk. Turn back (slowly). Never run.

3) If you meet an occasional animal on the path, walk your dog to heel. You may have to walk off the path if it is narrow.

In my experience the dog, if chased, returns to the owner with the herd in full pursuit. This is much the worst scenario, and a very unpleasant experience. So don't allow the dog to get out of control. Don't run either. Stand your ground.

4) Collect video footage (of any trouble or potential trouble) and present a copy DVD to the National Trust. Remember, the trust takes the executive decision to graze the cattle here, not the farmers. Reference date and time all footage. They're the people who need lobbying.

One would hope the trust might consider fencing off an area encompassing the prettiest south-west facing paths on the hill, around Hurlstone Point and in Selworthy Woods, but this of course requires money and the will to spend it.

It hasn't happened so far, despite being on the agenda many times in the past at parish council meetings.

Tim Holmes,

Bratton,

Minehead.