THIS spring the BBC plans to broadcast a ten-part animation called Popetown, which in their own words portrays the Pope as an 'infuriatingly childish 77-year-old whose every fickle whim must be indulged'. This is grossly defamatory of the Pope and deeply offensive to a great number of people.

The BBC has not been deterred by a petition signed by over 28,000 asking for the programme to be cancelled. Nor has the BBC accepted requests from senior clergy and politicians to see transcripts of the programme in advance.

Instead the BBC releases pictures of an animated Pope on a pogo stick and claims this is "respectful and affectionate."

Last December I wrote to the BBC to say that I would not pay my licence fee so long as they threatened to ridicule my faith. This is not a question of freedom of expression.

It is to ask why thousands of people must either pay to have their deepest values undermined, or else they are not permitted to own a television.

I do not want to see the BBC lose the licence fee. I would much prefer they returned to core, public service broadcasting, which is informative and educational. The commercial networks can cover entertainment.

However, if the BBC continues to needlessly antagonise large groups of the public, then it should not be surprised that 56 per cent are now questioning the whole concept of the licence fee.

JAMES MAWDSELY, Talbot Street, Rishton.