I DISAGREE wholeheartedly with Joe Beardsworth's tasteless views on abolishing the monarchy.

Thank God we have a monarchy and that our country is not in the hands of a dictator.

As for his remark regarding the Queen tripping on some steps we can all trip, young and old. Her Majesty is remarkably agile for her age.

Oh yes, at her Majesty's Buckingham Palace birthday lunch on April 19 one of her guests slipped on the Palace's marble steps. Could that have been because he was an old man of 80? Did his age account for the stumble or could he just have been a little hasty in his excitement at meeting the Queen?

Incidentally, I am the same age as the Queen. I look and feel very much younger and given the chance would have quite enough energy to run the country if I were in the Queen's position.

Abolish the Monarchy? Dear God, I earnestly pray not.

MRS H BELL, St James Close, Haslingden.