AS the foot and mouth crisis continues, please take a moment to consider the plight of a species whose situation has not, as yet, been highlighted by News at Ten or Countryfile — the Hashers.

These elusive creatures, whose normal habitat is the wild open moorland and rural footpaths, have been forced by circumstances to venture into the towns and run on roads, their strange calls echoing round the houses.

Normally active in the early evening, these poor confused specimens are increasingly being spied in lit-up residential areas, which now cruelly exposes their supreme lack of dress sense: odd socks, holey tee shirts and terrible hairy legs are just some of the frightening sights that have been alarming local residents.

But do not be concerned, these poor sad individuals are 'mostly harmless', intent only on following their trail of flour for an hour then scurrying back to their bucket of shandy and thence to the safety of a local public house.

Should you encounter a flock of them, don't panic, they are friendly and will not generally hurt you. Just give them a friendly smile and a wave. Shout encouragement as they hurry past 'On, On,' and look forward, as they do, to the day when they can return to the wild.

Linda Gerrard

Tamar Valley Hash House Harriers