Please help our birds. Every year, there are more snails and slugs. Please use a safe snail killer, such as Growing Success.

It costs more but is safe for people, birds, frogs, toads, hedgehogs and pets.

You could also use sharp grit, crushed egg shells or wood ash to protect your plants.

Plastic bottles, minus tops and bases, make useful "slug guards", especially with a band of Vaseline round the tops.

I am a professional gardener and have noticed a big reduction in the number of thrushes. Last year I saw only three or four.

-R Brand, Brighton