SIR – My sympathy goes out to the family and friends of the 16-year-old who has become the latest victim of the Blue Lagoon. I have lived in the area for 34 years, most of them in Arlesey, and have enjoyed many a sunny day at one of Bedfordshire s prettie

SIR - My sympathy goes out to the family and friends of the 16-year-old who has become the latest victim of the Blue Lagoon.

I have lived in the area for 34 years, most of them in Arlesey, and have enjoyed many a sunny day at one of Bedfordshire's prettiest sites. People need to start respecting bodies of water for what they are and stop risking their lives. I have on many occasions swum in the lagoon but always stayed near the waters edge as I am aware of the dangers the currents and the clay beds can cause. When I see people as young as nine diving off the cliffs into the Blue Lagoon, it amazes me that we do not hear about more fatalities.

I wish people would respect the area so many of us can enjoy the site in a safe, responsible manner as if the deaths continue we will no longer be allowed to access it. I know I am not alone in these thoughts as there are many local people that walk their dogs around this area all year round, and many more that come to enjoy the lagoon in the summer months when it is as good as going to the beach for a day out.

DIANE HUMBERSTONE

Hitchin Road

Henlow Camp

Henlow

SIR - It is shocking and very sad that yet another innocent person has drowned in Arlesey Blue Lagoon this week. However, the knee-jerk reaction from local 'politicians' who advocate filling in the lagoon can only be said as 'not well thought through'. Such statements are all too common these days, coming from politicians who seek the media spotlight and want to be seen as 'politically correct'.

The lagoon clay pit has been there for many years and, sadly, has claimed several lives - mostly due to the carelessness and lack of respect for deep waters by the people who lost their precious lives. At the same time many hundreds of people use the lagoon for boating, sail boarding and fishing.

Should these people be denied their peaceful enjoyment because of the carelessness of a few? The lagoon is also the habitat of wildlife that we all are supposed to care about. I think I am right in saying that generally people who meet with such disastrous accidents in the lagoon are not local people who are well aware of the dangers.

Filling in the lagoon is akin to closing down roads because careless pedestrians keep getting hit by motorists, or getting rid of railway lines because someone carelessly playing on the line gets hit by train or others commit suicide!

Instead of coming up with headline-grabbing ideas, politicians should be trying to educate youngsters about the dangers of deep water and help landowners keep unwanted and trespassing people off their property. Perhaps helping the farmer who owns the land to fence it and adequately police the area could be more productive instead of spending thousands of pounds of council tax payers' money to fill in the lagoon?

Venu Kumar

High Street

Arlesey

Beds