CREDIT where it is due. I thank the City of York Council maintenance staff for the fantastic service given to my neighbour recently.

Margaret is 78 years young, living alone and has failing eyesight.

Her heating timer switch gave her a small firework display one evening, and also "tripped" the circuit-breaker.

After deciding it best to isolate the timer and call the council for her, a technician arrived within 30 minutes to fit a new timer and ease her concerns.

Brilliant.

Thank you to the technician, the woman who took my call and anyone else, unknown to us, for this creditable response.

R Lund and M Perry,

The Wandle,

York.

Updated: 11:02 Tuesday, March 09, 2004