With regard to the reports of "attacks" by "greedy" seagulls on children with food, don't their mothers realise these birds aren't greedy but hungry?

Seagulls are part and parcel of seaside towns and, in winter, their need for food increases in order to survive the bitterly cold nights.

Perhaps parents should encourage their children to eat sitting at a table indoors, rather than waving food about in the air outside when these unfortunate birds believe it is being offered to them.

I find it deplorable so few children sit round the table with their family and enjoy a meal together. Instead, they eat "on the run" - along with many misguided adults.

-Susan Robinson, Shoreham-by-Sea