I APOLOGISE to Chris Coates of the Green Party if my letter (Citizen, February 20) was offensive to him. That was not my intention.

I would have written in exactly the same vein if the Home Secretary had decreed that sex between heterosexuals was to be allowed in public toilets.

But, flippancy aside, I agree with Mr Coates' sentiments that 'welcome needs to be made for holidaymakers from all walks of life'. This should include members of the gay community as well. No warmth of welcome is ever directed at them in our shiny holiday brochures.

The council should make approaches for gay hotels and bars to be opened in Morecambe so that gays do feel welcome and assured that the council and residents will do everything to make them as comfortable and safe as possible.

Gays are great showmen and women and are the only group of people I can imagine who might revitalise a theatre in Morecambe. Half of the shows and sitcoms we roar with laughter at on TV are written and directed by gays.

Gays have also fought in the theatre of war unknown and unrecognised, except in the Special Operations in occupied Europe during World War II, where their courage is well remembered.

So, Mr Coates, I am not homophobic just someone who is resolved to expose the destruction of small businesses by a Government drowning them in a sea of red tape.

My account of heterosexual activity in public toilets would have been couched in the same abstract terms as you read in my last letter, so do not be offended.

However, I hope you'll forgive me if I reiterate my strongly held belief that certain small draughty buildings should remain temples of quiet contemplation.

Irene Sutcliffe, Bare.