As the risk of avian flu arriving in Britain strengthens, Yachting Monthly readers have expressed concerns about the virus and boating activity, but the Department for the Environment, Fisheries and Agricultural Affairs (DEFRA) has told us: ‘Carry on cruising.’

Fears that scrubbing boat decks clear of seagull droppings could expose people to risk of infection have been discounted by DEFRA’s Matt Conway.

He said as long as people washed their hands afterwards, there was no risk: ‘As long as people aren’t eating it they will be all right,’ he said.