SIR – Your correspondent Sarah Woolard ( Expletives deleted , Herts Advertiser, 29 October) should take heart from the swift and responsible reaction of our town clerk and the chairman of the club – which leases this area of common from the town council –

SIR - Your correspondent Sarah Woolard ('Expletives deleted', Herts Advertiser, 29 October) should take heart from the swift and responsible reaction of our town clerk and the chairman of the club - which leases this area of common from the town council - to observations by local residents that the footballers' language is occasionally too clearly audible and industrial for delicate and immature ears.

Since the protective screen of trees was removed last year, we hear more than we would really like when the prevailing wind is in the west and on fine days with windows and doors open and children playing on the common and in nearby gardens.

We have pointed out that this particular corner of Harpenden Common is residential and not a recreation ground and - yes - most of the dwellings were here before the football club.

The same logic should apply in the case of Verulamium Park, where the pitches adjoin a children's playground, and in any event the clubs have a general duty of care to the public.

Excessive shouting and swearing in a public place could be interpreted as a breach of the peace, which is a criminal offence, albeit an ancient one.

ROBERT HILL

East Common, Harpenden