WHATEVER position the Victorian designer William Morris may hold in the affections of Baroness Castle of Blackburn (LET, May 25) the simple truth is that people such as myself, though members of the Labour Party, were not brought up on a diet of socialist political figures such as him.

Most mature people's lasting impressions of culture and childhood centre on the characters of "Watch With Mother" and of Muffin the Mule, Rag, Tag and Bobtail as well as the inimitable Bill and Ben. They were to my generation what Super Mario and Sonic the Hedgehog are to today's.

Baroness Castle is mistaken to attach too much importance to Morris and claim that he is an important figure in artistic culture. If a cross section of people were asked who he is and what he represents, they would not know. However, they would know who Muffin, and pupular animal creations like him are. Unfortunately, Lady Barbara does not seem to be aware of this. But then when her position is among idiosyncratic peers in the Upper Chamber, it's no wonder.

DUNCAN McVEE, Robin Bank Road, Darwen.

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