SIR, — So, thanks to the findings of a team from Rothamsted Research (Herts Advertiser, July 17), we can now regard the common stinging nettle as the gardener s friend rather than an unsightly and unwelcome weed Might I suggest that their colleagues at Ro

SIR, - So, thanks to the findings of a team from Rothamsted Research (Herts Advertiser, July 17), we can now regard the common stinging nettle as the gardener's friend rather than an unsightly and unwelcome weed

Might I suggest that their colleagues at Rothamsted working on the development of biofuels ought to hurry on down to Verulamium Park in St Albans to gather samples of a different kind of pestilential species - the algae which, as reported in your same issue, is invading the lake.

There are great hopes among those involved in alternative fuel research that fast-growing water-borne algae could, in a decade or two, provide a vital source of oil from which so-called third-generation biodiesel fuel could be produced.

ALAN BUNTING

Ridgewood Drive, Harpenden.