SIR - We are writing with reference to the recent letters about seagulls. We live near West Somerset College which we do not consider particularly close to the sea where they belong. Every year we have the same problem with seagulls nesting on a neighbour's chimney, which drives us to distraction!   When it is time for them to pair up, the noise they make during the day and continuing throughout the night is horrendous.   How anyone can honestly say they are not a problem is beyond us.   This year they had three chicks which created an even bigger hazard, dive-bombing my wife every morning when she walked our dog, causing distress to her, the dog and our next door neighbour, who felt it not safe to ride her bike to work. It became so bad that we were walking up the road with an umbrella for protection and were promptly swooped and pooped on on a regular basis.   We believe most people do not have any idea of the size and danger these flying vermin bring to everyday life. Wait until it happens to you then you may well have a different view on seagulls. Why on earth they are a protected species? They most certainly need to be controlled before next year's breeding season. C and L Stares, Spring Gardens, Alcombe.