CAN I, as someone who was a temporary patient in Blackburn Infirmary at the time, thank one of your correspondents for, perhaps unwittingly, cheering me up no end?

I really chuckled at Duncan McVee's comments (Letters, July 6), although I was surprised at his change of style!

I know he and I will never agree on politics, but wouldn't it be a dull world if we all thought the same way about things? I don't agree with many of the things he has said over the years and, no doubt, the same is true of him, but being a passionate believer in free speech, I wouldn't have it any other way.

At least, he and I have one thing in common - if a letter bears our name at the bottom, it is written by us, and not some third party PR person. Thanks again, Duncan - don't let your pen get rusty!

GRANVILLE BROADHURST, Sharples Street, Accrington.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.