FURTHER to your article on the appropriateness of the former Lord Mayor's attire on her visit to HMS York, I should like to respond to the comments made by Mr Hallas.

Coun Janet Looker and Mr Bob Scrase, former Lord Mayor and Sheriff of York, visited HMS York for their recent Affiliates Day, their last engagement of their year in office.

With any official engagement, the civic office makes sure the Lord Mayor and Sheriff are fully briefed on what is expected of them, who they will be meeting and, importantly, the dress code.

I was in regular contact with HMS York to discuss arrangements. The advice we were given specifically stipulated that "chains of office would not be appropriate, sensible shoes and trousers for all parties as they will have to climb up and down ladders".

Given this advice, I would suggest the Lord Mayor was most appropriately dressed.

I should like to think Mr Hallas would agree that to have taken the very valuable civic chains of office on board HMS York at sea would have been highly inappropriate and irresponsible.

The Lord Mayor and Sheriff are important figureheads for York. As first resident of the city, the Lord Mayor represents York on many occasions.

Coun Looker has had an exceptional year as Lord Mayor of York, representing the city at more than 600 engagements and has been a delight to work with.

I am very disappointed to read this personal attack on the former Lord Mayor and would like to point out that these "bad feelings" are those of Mr Hallas and not representative of the many people across the city who supported Coun Looker in her very memorable year of office.

Anne Skelton,

Civic services officer,

City of York Council,

The Guildhall,

York.

Updated: 08:44 Monday, May 30, 2005