I WAS very interested in the letter from Kim Alderson, of the University of Bolton, “Balloon release followed strict code of conduct” (November 14).

It is good that some trouble and care was taken to follow advice and try to prevent environmental damage.

I assume that NABAS (the Balloon Association) represents the producers of balloons, who naturally are eager to promote the sale and use of balloons as widely as possible.

There is no quarrel with balloons being used to attract attention without being released into the environment. But when it comes to environmental protection, I would trust the judgement of the Marine Conservation Society, which exists specifically to protect creatures in the environment.

Their code of conduct for balloon use is even stricter than that produced by NABAS and followed by the University of Bolton.

Point number one of their code of conduct is: “Don’t let go of balloons out of doors”.

Recent research tells us that there is no beach in the world that is not already full of minute fragments of plastic, which can find their way into sea creatures and birds.

Common sense suggests we should not be adding to this problem.

C F Cresswell, Brookside Close, Bolton