WHAT a ghastly idea! There is an increasing tendency to turn city centres into playgrounds. London's sole memorial to the Millennium is the London Eye, a colossal blemish on the skyline.

There is, of course, nothing intrinsically wrong about fairground attractions; but fairgrounds are where they belong. It is certainly not worth losing even a single tree to accommodate a York wheel.

I now live in London; but come from North Yorkshire and often worked in York at the Theatre Royal, itself a place of entertainment. It cannot be said, however, that it disfigures the city skyline.

York already has unique attractions. It is a city I love and respect. I hope its citizens will not allow their local government to cheapen its reputation.

Donald Palmear,

Frobisher Road,

London.

Updated: 10:35 Tuesday, February 15, 2005