IT is our Golden Wedding anniversary on August 30, and, like thousands of other couples in Britain, we would have liked to attend Buckingham Palace to share in the Queen's own celebrations. We didn't write to the Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire for a chance even to attend.

When you are getting older, the prospect of travelling to London, having to stay in an hotel, buy special outfits, puts you off.

Many who did apply to go, must have been disappointed when they weren't chosen. I believe it was most enjoyable, but some had to queue for over an hour to get in the Palace. But why couldn't the celebrations of all her subjects be made special by Golden Wedding anniversary celebrations being held in other parts of the country besides London?

Many frail pensioners in the North or Scotland would love to celebrate with their monarch. Their anniversaries are just as special to them and I doubt in years to come that there will be so many - people often don't bother to get married today.

KATHLEEN BULCOCK (Mrs), Wilkie Avenue, Burnley.

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