REGARDING the tea shop ban on three ladies who refused to stand for the National Anthem (Echo, May 22), I am incensed at Anita Atkinson’s slur on bikers.

She said: “If the women had been leather clad bikers or youths you would expect to call the police.”

Bikers rarely give any trouble, leather clad or otherwise.

There is never any trouble at bike races or any other gatherings. Is she ignorant of the fact that almost £400,000 has been collected for the North-East Air ambulance and Zoe’s Place by the motorcyclists’ Boundary Group?

Easter eggs are distributed by bikers to sick children and, of course, there is the traditional Santa Run.

I have just returned from Northern Ireland North West 200 bike racing and whenever the National Anthem was played everyone stood to attention and removed their head gear.

Regarding the slight on youth, Anita should remember it is they who will be paying taxes to fund her pension.

And as for demanding customers stand up for the Queen – I reckon she would do well in North Korea.

Norman Simpson, Eaglescliffe.