Sir, - On returning from a few days leave, I was disappointed to read last week's report "Life's no party for wheelchair users".

At the time when Mrs Briggs and your paper contacted the hotel I was not on duty, and was not aware of the calls until after your published deadline.

Under the terms of the Disability Discrimination Act, we are required to take all possible steps to ensure that everyone has access to the hotel's facilities.

To this end a feasibility study has been ongoing for the past 15 months, which commenced with a meeting of a representative from Richmondshire District Council. We have continued to gather information from other sources as it has become available - for example, the most recent newsletter from the tourism department at the council offers a guide for service providers and also details of contacts for the Disability Rights Commission "Publications Catalogue".

The Act covers all disabilities and we are, and have always been, anxious to assist people who may have special needs to enjoy the facilities that The Kings Head has to offer.

This extends to the people who we employ and we hold a Disability at Work certificate, which verifies that we have fulfilled all possible obligations to enable the hotel to provide employment for a disabled person.

We have looked at the feasibility of installing a lift, but it is not possible to access the whole of the hotel by this means due to the many split levels at first and second floor - for example there are steps down to the ballroom from the first floor landing. Additionally, the floor area of the first and second floors is much greater than at ground level allowing little area for the installation of a lift without major internal structural alterations.

Wheelchair ramps at the front of the hotel have also been considered, but in order to comply with building regulations, my understanding is that the rise of the slope would require a start point in the middle of Trinity Square.

Similarly at the rear of the hotel where the steps are higher, the ramp would be so long as to block the fire escape and access to the delivery entrance of the hotel and two shops.

We always endeavour to assist our guests as far as is possible and I am sorry that Mrs Briggs feels that it would be unsafe for us to help her up the stairs. If she would like to contact me again I should be happy to explore with her any other avenues that may make it possible for attendance at her friend's golden wedding party.

KAY ROBINSON

Manager,

The Kings Head Hotel,

Richmond.

Quiet please

Sir, - The RSPCA is requesting that all those in support of tighter restraints on the use of fireworks should contact their MPs, urging them to back a Private Members' Bill to control these explosives.

Fireworks cause huge distress and injury to animals. An RSPCA survey of vets in England and Wales showed that in one year alone 4,825 animals were treated for firework-related injuries and/or were prescribed sedatives because they were so frightened. Sixteen animals were put to sleep because of their injuries, and three animals were believed to be the victims of deliberate attacks.

A new RSPCA report, Quiet Please, was launched on February 13, highlighting the need for a reduction in noise levels for those fireworks available for public use.

This coincided with the launch of the Control of Fireworks Bill, which receives its second reading today.

In order for this Bill to progress through parliament and perhaps into future legislation, 100 MPs must attend and support this second reading. It is essential that as many people as possible contact their MP asking him or her to attend the House of Commons and support the Bill.

The RSPCA website has a facility to fax your MP and sign the petition. You can access this at www. rspca.orq. uk/fireworks. Please help us ensure we get backing for this Bill and in so doing reduce the distress fireworks cause to hundreds of animals.

DAVID MILLARD

Regional Superintendent, Yorkshire and the North East,

Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals,

Leeds.

Loco search

Sir, - Further to my request for information regarding my forthcoming book 'Memories of the Wensleydale Railway' could I ask of your readers for information about a certain type of steam engine?

During the Second World War a large steam locomotive known as the 'Austerity' was used extensively on the Wensleydale line and I am particularly keen to obtain a private copy of a photograph of one of those engines. Great care will be taken with the picture which I will have copied and returned promptly to the owner.

Although ideally a photograph of an Austerity working on the Wensleydale line would preferable it is not vital to my research.

A E EATON

50 Turker Lane,

Northallerton.