RECENTLY, I travelled by train on the scenic Furness line which runs from Lancaster to Barrow via Morecambe Bay.

Having travelled the line many times before, the high point is always crossing the imposing viaduct which spans the Kent estuary, with lovely views of the distant Lakeland fells.

I have always rated the Furness peninsula as one of the most beautiful parts of England.

Until 1974, it was part of Lancashire. Indeed, it was referred to by some writers as 'Lancashire North of the Sands.'

It is now in the County of Cumbria - a real loss for the Red Rose County. Will it ever return?

JOHN PORTER, Thwaites Road, Oswaldtwistle.

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