AS a York-born citizen of Lancastrian parents and having suffered many trials and tribulations during the Roses cricket matches, my late father would have been highly amused by the forthcoming VE Day celebrations ('Lottery funding for VE Day bash', March 2).

A Lancashire artillery volunteer band leading the parade of ex-servicemen from across Yorkshire takes the biscuit.

No wonder Lancashire celebrates Wakes Week or am I politically incorrect to think the friendly rivalry which exists between these two major counties does not exist?

K Bowker,

Vesper Walk,

Huntington, York.

Updated: 09:34 Tuesday, March 08, 2005