THE news that you are to go "tabloid" six days a week (June 16) is not unexpected. But it is untrue to imply that everyone wants such a move.

Any market research you did had to be based on a sample study, and I can hardly say that a majority have not expressed support for such action, though some percentages would have been interesting. However, I for one would prefer staying as a broadsheet.

Why? While acknowledging the argument about difficulties in handling the larger page size of the broadsheet (though not particularly subscribing to such a view), at least most stories are capable of printing on the one page of the wider format. This is often not the case with the compact size.

One of your neighbouring evening papers has been tabloid for some time, and I find it extremely frustrating following a single storyline spread over two pages, especially when it is on a sport theme, which starts at the back, and continues nearer the front.

Though a worse option would be for all stories to be condensed into a lower maximum number of words, simply to cater for the reduced page space.

If I am honest, however, I suspect my feelings are simply coloured by the term tabloid. Rightly or wrongly, it can so often imply a somewhat simplified approach to the news, and can sometimes even be best described as sensational.

I feel some recent editions of the Evening Press have already bordered on such an approach. Please assure me that this trend is not to gather pace with the forthcoming change.

Denis Wilson,

Beech Way,

Upper Poppleton, York.

...YES, please - Evening Press small size. I wish it could happen sooner. It is a very good paper, we have it regularly.

Mrs E Graves,

Stockton Lane,

York.

...IT will certainly be easier for me to manage. Indeed, John will think all his birthdays have come at once. He may even have the delusion that he is the first to read it as the compact style will remain in pristine condition... all pages in their correct order.

Margaret Lawson,

Aldborough House,

The Groves,

York.

...GREAT news! After exhaustive in-depth research, the "Press to go compact". It's just what the doctor ordered - a real tonic. I'll keep taking the tabloids!

Dale Minks,

Ancress Walk,

York.

Updated: 11:13 Tuesday, June 22, 2004