Sir, – On the morning of bank holiday Monday, I decided to go for a walk down to the woods with my mother, from Skelton to Saltburn, one of our much loved walks.

I was appalled to see the amount of graffiti and vandalism which is destroying our beautiful surroundings. How can people be so arrogant and selfish? Why must these thugs ruin a perfectly pleasurable experience for everyone else?

The thing that I found most shocking was that a certain group of idiotic individuals had evidently taken the time and effort to not only carve their guilty names into the bark of the trees, but to have pathetically thought about what they were going to do beforehand, enough to have seemingly carried paint and paint brushes to their chosen spot, so that they could smear their names throughout the woodlands.

They had vandalised the seating and written all over the brickwork of the viaduct, as well as the trees themselves.

I think it’s absolutely outrageous.

I find it extremely sad that they have nothing better to do with their time. Why should a few mindless individuals spoil it for the rest of us?

It seems some kids have no discipline and it’s about time something was done about it.

They have no respect for anyone or anything. Vandalism and childish behaviour is totally inexcusable.

There always has to be a minority who just can’t seem to appreciate anything pleasant.

Why is it that these days you can’t have anything nice, without someone tearing it down, pulling it out or de-facing it?

LOIS V ACKERLEY Skelton-in-Cleveland.