Well done to our brilliant firefighters for turning out to rescue trapped animals (The Argus, January 7). I have called them out twice while acting as a volunteer for National Seagull Rescue – once for a young gull caught in poorly-erected roof netting and another time for an adult gull trapped in a tall tree by fishing line, strung round its body and with a heavy lead weight hanging from it.

On both occasions the fire service was prompt and really caring. Crowds gathered and clapped and cheered as they got the gull from the tree. The cost of £350,000 is money well spent and insignificant compared with many other costs. Or would we rather stand by and watch animals die in distress? I would hope we were a bit more civilised than that.

Sue Baumgardt
Stoneham Road, Hove