Sir, - It is a shame Mr Borman felt that he had to attempt to undermine the achievement of the district council in being awarded beacon status for its support to the local economy (D&S letters, Apr 4).

Beacon designation is a very prestigious award within local government, and only made following a competitive bidding and selection process. Richmondshire was one of 30 authorities that applied to be recognised for its work in the local economy and was shortlisted for selection together with ten other councils.

Contrary to Mr Borman's belief, the general performance of the council was a major factor taken into account by the shortlisting panel (which included representatives from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, the Improvement and Development Agency and Defra) following consultations with organisations such as the Audit Commission.

Having been shortlisted, the council had to prepare a dissemination plan of how it would propose to share its knowledge and experiences with other councils and organisations across the country, host a visit to the district by the panel, give a presentation on its bid and answer any questions raised by the inspection team.

This part of the assessment process was then judged, and the council received an "excellent" rating. Finally, the council had to travel to London to give a further presentation to a panel of experts in the field of economic development and rural regeneration and respond to further questioning. It was only after this demanding process that the council was deemed to have demonstrated "excellence".

Fortunately there are many communities and individuals across Richmondshire and many well-respected organisations who work with the district council to help improve the district's economy who take a different view to Mr Borman and have openly supported and helped the council. It is to them that we would like to express the council's gratitude for the hard work put in - the award is as much for them as the district council.

TONY CLARK

Execitive Director, Richmondshire District Council

Litter lament

Sir, - I would like to endorse every word of two recent letters, one by A T P Millen, the other by Lionel Twiss, that litter on the roadside verges of North Yorkshire, especially along the A1, are a disgrace.

Driving anywhere on our highways and byways is like driving through the poorest suburb of a shanty town. While I appreciate that cleaning up the roadsides is a massive expense for the already over-stretched finances of the councils, it is shameful that such a beautiful county should allow this running sore to persist.

However, I am convinced that this problem has to be tackled at source: that there needs to he a fundamental change of behaviour among road users. They have to be made to understand that the countryside is not just a convenient rubbish dump, but something to be cherished.

CAROLINE CHAPMAN

Hutts Lane,

Grewelthorpe.

Crossed lines

Sir, - At times it beats belief. I could not believe that while contractors were renewing the water main in Long Street, Thirsk, white lines were renewed on the roundabout at the junction with Stammergate, only for the road surface along with the newly-laid white lines to be dug up the following day.

The answer I was given by our local councillor was that the white lining was ordered a year ago. Does this fact make it OK to waste public money? Lack of communication comes to mind.

I would also like to point out that there were no warning signs on any approach to the mini roundabout other than a sign left from the previous layout warning of no left turn into Stammergate. I raised this point with the same councillor who, as yet, has neither replied or, to my knowledge, acted on it.

D FORSTER

Long Street,

Thirsk.

Apology, please

Sir, - Recently a planning application was made to open a late-night take-away on a busy corner at the end of Sowerby Road, Thirsk. Thankfully, after strong opposition from residents, supported by North Yorkshire police and Sowerby Conservation Group, this application has, for the moment, been refused. Surprisingly, the application was supported by Sowerby Parish Council. Which Sowerby councillors would like a late-night take-away to open next door to their own house? Not one I think, but this is what they wanted to impose on some of the residents of Sowerby Road.

I feel that Sowerby Parish Council owes an apology to residents, and an explanation of its support for a development which, if passed, would have a very detrimental effect on the lives of many of the people it is supposed to represent.

P NEW

Sowerby Road,

Thirsk.