Dear Orkney News,

I have a friend who lives in Kirkwall, and who, most days, takes a walk around the Peedie Sea.

She tells me that, on those walks, she is starting to see discarded disposable face masks – on one day she counted 8.

‘Disposable’ doesn’t mean throw them anywhere – it usually means single use.

As someone who spent her working life as a nurse, this attitude to infectious disease causes her great concern, and, when she told me about it, causes me concern, too.

So, please, people, having snipped the straps, please dispose of your face masks properly and responsibly.

Better still, use re-usable ones!

Please – it’s for the good of us all.

Thank you, Bernie Bell, Orkney