A BIG thank you to whoever is responsible for the very beautiful floral arrangements in the city just now.

Those tall pillars of mingled lilac, mauve, purple and white flowers rising above square planters are spectacular, as are the matching hanging baskets here and there.

Shopping is transformed.

A visitor from Australia spoke to me recently as we admired the flower display together. She told me she thinks York is "the most fabulous place" and was enjoying every moment of her holiday here.

It was nice to hear someone say something pleasing and positive about the city.

I suppose when you look up to see something beautiful, you don't notice the chewing gum under your feet - and she didn't mention the pigeons either.

Joan E Paley,

Alwyne Drive,

York.

....WHERE have all the flowers gone? I was walking round York the other evening and was surprised at the lack of floral displays.

Granted, the tubs of flowers in Parliament Street were colourful and one or two pubs had made a floral effort but that seems to be it.

I recently visited Doncaster and their floral displays were a blaze of colour. Perhaps if we brighten things up a bit we may get more visitors to our beautiful city.

IM Douglass,

Heslington Lane,

Fulford,

York.

Updated: 09:47 Saturday, July 03, 2004