THE declared intent to create a new, young Britain has the hallmark of gimmicky claptrap and should be given the boot treatment without delay.

Some of the foul-mouthed pop artists, who have been associated with the debasement of old Britain, are eminently unworthy of representing Britain, young or old.

It would be preferable for the Roman legions to return, accompanied by all the plagues of Egypt.

These pop 'stars' have an infinite capacity for being objectionable - and are able to give a convincing impression of being under the influence of drugs.

Or perhaps they are simply numb nuts - wealthy numb nuts, no doubt, but they still wallow in dedicated, practised ignorance.

In addition, they appear to have a psychological need to shock and offend. They also seem to lack a reasonable use and command of the English language, without descending into the sewers of obscenity.

I am familiar with barrack-room language, but I suggest that it should remain there and not be inflicted upon all within earshot, regardless of age or sex.

It should certainly not be permitted on the radio or television. I subscribe to the idea that if you grossly misbehave then you deserve to be punished.

My own method of deterring this particular loutish behaviour, although it could possibly upset the squeamish, would be to say that the next one to do it gets shot.

RAYMOND NICHOLSON, Birch Hall Avenue, Darwen.

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