THERE is a legitimate body of opinion that regards the decision to let Ilkley Carnival continue during the foot and mouth outbreak as misguided.

Not only have agricultural shows in the area been cancelled, other events such as festivals and carnivals have been called off because of the risk of spreading the disease. But the Ilkley Carnival organisers have decided that a large event involving no livestock would pose an insignificant risk of spreading disease.

They have also reasoned that such an event might do a little to revive the spirits of people in these difficult times. The carnival will also provide an enjoyable day out for families whose choice of other venues has been strictly limited in the interests of the farming industry.

Some may disagree. But instead of standing up and saying that they disagree, at least one person has decided to sneak around stealing the carnival's advertising boards in the hope of sabotaging the event.

What is it about some people that they choose to spend their time skulking about malevolently in the dark trying to mar the efforts of others in preference to standing up and voicing their opinion?

Stealing the advertising boards will not prevent the carnival from going ahead but it may have the effect of slightly reducing the number of visitors. The only possible result of this is that the good causes due to benefit from the event will get less money than they would have done if the advertising boards had been left alone.

Whoever is responsible for these shabby acts of contemptible spite should give up now in order to concentrate their remaining energy for the massive effort of hauling themselves out of the gutter.