IHAVE read with interest the recent articles about the peregrine falcons on Darwen's India Mill chimney. Are they nesting there or are they not?

There is no doubt that peregrines are elegant birds. But their place is in the country not in urban areas such as Darwen.

Unfortunately, 85 per cent of a peregrine's diet is racing pigeons and at this time of year a pair of peregrines will take about 10 pigeons a day and that means trouble for the townsfolk of Darwen who pursue this time-honoured sport.

A pigeon fancier will spend a great deal of time, money and effort rearing, training and racing his pigeon team, only to see his avian athletes taken by a bird of prey.

This is forcing many to leave the sport as the costs, both financial and emotional, are too great to bear. The numbers of peregrines have increased drastically over the last 15 years or so and have saturated some areas to the extent that in Lancashire they now build their nests in the heather moors.

It doesn't seem too long ago that these racing pigeons were saving the lives of our servicemen in World War Two. Thirty-one racing pigeons were awarded the Dickin Medal, the animal VC for deeds of bravery and endurance.

All the public and the bird protectionists seem to think of now is the welfare of the birds of prey. The pigeon racers of Darwen deserve to race and train their pigeons without the threat of raptor attacks. The nets should be replaced on the chimney and the peregrines banished.

PETER BRYANT, General Manager, Royal Pigeon Racing Association, The Reddings, Cheltenham, Glos.