Sir, - I was very concerned to read Mr Atkinson's letter, "Poor incentive to work for the Park" (D&S letters, Feb 23) that questions the value the national park authority places on its information assistants who work in our national park centres.

Central to Mr Atkinson's complaint is the rate of pay we offer. Whilst we advertised the post at a starting salary of £4.95 an hour, this can rise, through increments to £6.32 an hour. This rate of pay compares very favourably with other councils who employ similar staff. Further, we also offer a range of benefits, such as sick pay, holiday pay and the option to join the local government pension scheme.

Mr Atkinson's suggestion that this authority believes women will work for "pin money" is frankly insulting. Our recruitment processes are based on selecting the most suitably qualified person for the post, irrespective or gender, age or race.

Your readers may also be interested to hear that, of the 28 people who applied for the information assistant posts, 12 were men. Also, the number of women in senior posts in this authority is considerably higher than with most other government employers.

The job of an information assistant is a part-time one and, as a result, is never going to pay a full-time living wage. Further, it is widely recognised that staff turnover for part-time seasonal work is higher than it is for full-time jobs. That said, our turnover for these posts is no higher than one would expect.

Our commitment to our staff has recently been demonstrated through the confirmation of the authority as an Investors in People employer. As chief executive, I see the effort and hard work my staff put in every day, and if there was any way I could pay them more, I would do it tomorrow.

DAVID BUTTERWORTH

Chief executive, Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority,

Bainbridge.

Sad day for elderly

Sir, - I wholeheartedly agree with Betty Tibbert (D&S letters, Mar 2). The elderly residents of Hambleton are not being given the transport service that they should be entitled to expect. Instead they have the worst possible service, at the last possible moment and at the cheapest cost to Hambleton District Council.

All elderly residents living in areas not served by buses are being denied concessionary fares because the council refuses to bring in a token scheme. The same is true for those who have a bus service but cannot use it, either because they cannot walk to or from the bus stop or they are in a wheelchair.

Those who have access to community minibuses may not have the benefits of this service for much longer as funding has been drastically cut by HDC.

I am a Hambleton councillor and yes, I do drive a car. I also walk, cycle, and if I have all day, use the local buses. I feel it was a sad day when the majority of councillors decided to accept this inadequate transport service for our elderly.

JACKIE GRIFFITHS

Meadowfield,

Stokesley.

Small shops

Sir, - I do so agree with Margaret Cave's sentiments about the advantages of purchasing goods at smaller local shops and it is sad to see so many of them closing down.

Here, in Bedale, we have an excellent selection of shops. They provide good services and in most cases their prices are very competitive with the larger super stores.

Perhaps we could all do a little more in the way of supporting our local businesses wherever possible - thus ensuring that our lovely small towns are kept vibrant and alive.

(Mrs) J TEASDALE

Firby Road,

Bedale.

Chase point

Sir, - I think Mr Severs (D&S letters, Mar 2) sees wild life from a Beatrix Potter point of view (ie dying in relative comfort, well-fed and dressed in his pyjamas).

Every animal has self-preservation built-in, but cannot foresee death as we would. They learn by experience. Adrenalin has its part to play in a chase, unlike unnatural terror in a snare or a slow death from old age, gunshot wounds or poison.

CATHERINE SCROPE

South Thorpe

Barnard Castle.

The weakest link

Sir, - I have watched several of the Weakest Link TV quiz programmes, and have come to the conclusion that it is Anne Robinson herself who is the weakest link.

She is the only one that has to have the answers written down - all the others have to rely on their memory.

John F Walter

Long Street,

Topcliffe.