REGARDING Anne Cooper-Halton's remarks in "Army race claim 'nonsense'" (Letters, June 3), I am a Colne lad with a strong Lancashire accent, but it never bothered me when I did my National Service in the Royal Navy.

Many of my mates tried to imitate me; some even called me 'Taty Pie.'

One officer referred to me as "the hand that speaks pidgin English." It was like water off a duck's back.

I could not have cared less. One of the best compliments ever paid to me was by my Chief Petty Officer when I was leaving for demob.

He put his arm round my shoulder and said: "Lofty, you are the salt of the earth - and wouldn't change if you went to ruddy China."

And he was a 'Brummie.'

ALAN BETTERIDGE, The Warings, Kelswick Drive, Nelson.

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