MARTIN Smith's anti-evolution arguments (LET, January 21) contain more holes than a string vest.

The mystery' of the fossil trees was solved over a century ago and could probably be explained to Mr Smith by any O' Level geology student he cares to ask.

The zoological examples he gives to promote an intelligent designer' are in fact excellent examples of the results of evolution by natural selection.

So far so good, I had risen to his bait.

It was only when I read his explanation of how the Grand Canyon was carved out in less than a fortnight that I realised that the whole letter must in fact be a hoax.

Nice one Martin, you nearly had me there, but you could at least have waited until April 1!

NEIL DUCKWORTH, Spring Meadows, Darwen.