COME on, admit! There is no such person as John Blunt, is there?

He was invented by the staff of the Lancashire Evening Telegraph who take turns at writing his weekly column.

Perhaps there is a trophy, awarded annually and presented over a champagne lunch at Blakey's to the writer who has produced the most pompous and risible piece during the year.

The article (LET, May 14) suggesting that our new Home Secretary might consider recruiting surplus army bullies in place of 'bleeding-heart liberal social workers' to run chain gangs of young offenders was a prime example of Blunt's bigoted style, but a bit over the top even for him.

Just occasionally, I find myself agreeing with one of the views expressed in the Blunt column, but this is usually on the subject of animals and the need to ban cruel sports and practices. I wonder why he cannot extend the same compassion to humans.

Whether you agree with him or not, Blunt, taken in the right spirit, always provokes discussion and, for some, provides a weekly source of amusement. Long may he continue!

E CORRAN, Arlington Road, Darwen.

FOOTNOTE: One person writes the John Blunt column - and it's not me. Editor.

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