I WAS saddened to read of the sudden death of Ian Dooley, your superb music columnist (7 Days, Sept 27). I looked forward to Ian's excellent columns each week in 7 Days and I always enjoyed what he had to say.

He always invested his writing with great enthusiasm, obvious enjoyment and a great wealth of knowledge that made them a genuine joy to read.

I went to Wolsingham Comprehensive School and, although Ian was a couple of years older than me and I never really knew him to talk to, Ian and his mates were the guys I looked up to as they carried into school their treasured vinyl LPs to swap amongst each other; a tradition I could not wait to carry on with my mates.

Thanks to Viv Hardwick for a fitting tribute.

My thoughts are with Ian's family at this time. He will be missed.

Andy Atkinson, Howden-le-Wear, Crook.