I WAS somewhat horrified to see people asking Richard Newman-Thompson to stop writing to the Citizen.

Whether one agrees or disagrees with his views, it is important that he (and everyone else) has an opportunity to express them.

It was never my intention to use the Citizen to harp on about my health but having been forced to reveal it by Mr Newman-Thompson, I may as well tell your readers a wee bit about it.

One of the occasional effects of M.E. is insomnia. I can spend half the night awake without any good reason for it.

Anyway, recently I discovered an excellent cure. I picked up the Citizen and began to read Mr Newman-Thompson's most recent letter. Bang! I awoke hours later with Mr Newman-Thompson's letter staring me in the face.

I would recommend two things, therefore. Firstly, anyone afflicted by insomnia should collect Mr Newman-Thompson's letters and keep them handy beside the pillow to read at moments of inconvenient wakefulness.

It is a most cost-effective remedy. Secondly, if he ever needs a career change, Mr Newman-Thompson should consider becoming a novelist.

After all, Jeffrey Archer was very successful at spinning tales and Mr Newman-Thompson is showing promise.

Pascal Desmond

Grasmere Road

Lancaster