Sir, - As the owner of the King's Head hotel in Richmond, which has been badly affected by the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease, your readers might be interested to learn of the support provided to the hotel by Customs and Excise and the Inland.Revenue

Both these bodies have been extremely understanding in dealing with our financial problems.

We have had similar treatment from the Northem Rock building society, which for three months deferred our capital repayment. Indeed it is true to say that the financial assistance we have received has been of the highest order.

Their approach contrasts with that of the National Westminster bank which has refused our request for an overdraft facility which the business will undoubtedly require over the winter months.

The government appeared to indicate that help would be provided to hoteliers. I was not surprised that financial support has not been forthcoming since the government cannot be expected to support every business in difficulty as a result of the on-going crisis. I do not consider a request to the National Westminster bank for a winter overdraft facility unreasonable in the present circumstances.

It says much for the present banking system that the banks can treat their customers with such disdain. Doubtless, the bank would prefer to pour English money down a South American drain in preference to supporting an English customer.

DAVID DONEGAN

The King's Head hotel,

Richmond.

Excellent theatre

Sir, - Those of us who are deeply concerned with the history as well as the future of Richmond fully appreciate the importance to the town of the Georgian theatre.

It has rightly been described as a gem of the theatre world yet it is housed in an inconspicuous barn-like building to which a more modern and now inadequate extension has been added.

Much credit is due to the many interested people who have worked over several years to design and develop an impressive and thoughtful plan to rebuild the extension and link the old and new buildings in a way that will surely bring new interest and future success for this much valued part of Richmond's heritage.

A great deal of effort has been expended in raising the necessary funding and the time has now come for even the doubters to realise that this is an excellent development much needed for the future of both the town and its theatre.

DAVID MORRIS

Prior Avenue,

Richmond.

Car codes

Sir, - It is good to see area and age codes on the new car number plate layout. But for quick recognition two changes are needed: full spaces between the area and age identifiers and mnemonic area codes. The leaflet I received gave the example as BD for Birmingham!

Surely with a little more effort both letters in the tag could have been made mnemonic? Why not postcodes?

MIKE O'CARROLL

Welbury,

Northallerton.

My good wishes

Sir, - I regret that Mr Woracker of the Wensleydale Railway (D&S letters, Aug 17) seems to take exception to my remarks (D&S Aug 10) about the new bus service through Thirsk.

I did not go to the press to make these comments, the D&S reporter, rang me and asked for my views about the new service. I said I had seen the buses and had not realised they were a permanent service but welcomed the idea.

Up to then I had seen the eye catching buses going through the town but had not been aware of where they were going.

My remark about Hawes railway station was my immediate reaction to the first bus I saw in Thirsk - it was quite a startling sight - the buses are double deckers and painted blue and yellow.

Now that the buses are running so regularly, with stops every few hundred yards with timetables, I am most impressed and I repeat my hope that people will support this initiative.

Coun FREDA M ROBERTS

Mayor of Thirsk,

Stoneybrough Lane,

Thirsk.

Stop whingeing

Sir, - Over the last few weeks a handful of my fellow councillors from Richmondshire District Council have been writing to the D&S complaining about their own self-inflicted political situation.

Since April of this year, farming, tourism and many other businesses in the district have been devastated by foot-and-mouth. The financial effects on these businesses and families will continue for many months, if not years. Jobs that were lost need to be recovered. The economy of the whole of Richmondshire has been badly affected, and every councillor should be fighting for more money from the government to help with the recovery.

So I urge my fellow councillors to stop whingeing about your own personal political ambitions and concentrate on some of your problems that are facing the district, and on representing the people who elected you, hopefully to the benefit of all of Richmondshire.

There is after all a real world outside the council chamber.

Coun RICHARD DUNN

Manor House Farm,

Hunton,

Bedale.