I THINK the striking photograph by Paul Adams of the comet Hyakutake (LET, April 2) deserves an award as Photo of the Year.

When I was a child at school, I got a book with a photo of Halley's Comet and I looked forward all my life to its reappearance in 1986.

It was a big flop. I never saw it - except on a postage stamp.

But this little beauty, Hyakutake, is the first comet I have ever seen. It was like an extra bright star, though I could not see its tail with the naked eye.

Hyakutake was the first comet I have ever seen and known to be a comet - thanks to you for making me aware it.

ADRIAN GRADY, Lemonius Street, Accrington.

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