SIR – On Sunday December 14 this year a cyclocross event took place in Peel Park over a large area of the park. This was an organised event which took place with the consent of the local authority and, I am given to believe, was an annual event which has taken place over several years.

I go in the park with my dog every day of the year and I, together with the other dog walkers, was horrified to see the damage which had been done to the grassed areas.

There was also thick mud on the pathways which were being cleaned by the park workers. I spoke to one of the workers who was also disgusted with the state of the park and who informed me that all football on local authority pitches, including Peel Park, had been cancelled on the Sunday due to the pitches being very wet and liable to damage if played upon. Why was this event not cancelled instead of allowing all this damage?

I have no doubt that most of the cyclists only set foot in the park once a year but it appears to be alright for the daily visitors to have to put up with this carnage which will be dreadful until next summer I have no doubt! Pity the park workers who have to clear up this carnage!

Duncan Higgins, Oaklands, Bradford