NOWADAYS people are used to carrying credit/debit cards, club cards, membership cards, railcards etc but mention ID cards and there is righteous indignation and hostility against anyone who is in favour. ('Pass laws", Letters, March 30).

Last year an organisation to which I belong changed banks so the three members with signing authority had to visit the new bank with proof of residence (utility bill) and proof of identity - a valid passport, current driving licence or an EU identity card.

Proof of residence was easy, but proof of identity was impossible and I realised many other people would find it impossible.

A member of staff trawled through the possibilities shown on the computer screen and suggested a visit to a doctor or a lawyer then asked if I had a gun licence - even more impossible. I mentioned I had an ID card dating back to the last war, so I was asked if this had a photo on it.

No we didn't need photos then and also, because it was issued when I had just left school, it wasn't in my married name. Eventually, they settled for a photocopy of my pension book - since phased out. Unfortunately, the information was not passed on and I had to go through the whole process again which prompted me to ask if in future people in my position would have to be tattooed with an identity number or perhaps - better still - visit a vet to be micro-chipped like a pet.

Mrs D Goodwin,

Bishophill Junior,

York.

Updated: 11:14 Monday, April 18, 2005