YORK has never had an image problem. Until now, that is.

First Stop York Partnership and York Tourism Bureau between them concluded that not enough visitors were coming to the city and so in a bid to attract more they commissioned a makeover to the tune of £20,000 in the form of a new logo (Evening Press, September 3).

Regrettably, during the 12 months that this project has lasted, the parties involved appear to have seen fit only to consult 'focus groups' - whatever they might be - based elsewhere in the country, and have abjectly failed to involve local people, or indeed local schools, which is one place they might have been able to arrive at an image that was simple, striking, and considerably less expensive.

What they have come up with, far from being what one would have hoped for in the shape of a bold, vibrant and arresting design, instead consists of a pretentious, flippant and instantly forgettable three-word strapline whose style - pseudo-simplistic, sludgy colours and all - reminds one only too clearly of similar 'artwork' to be found daubed on lavatory walls! Back to the drawing board?

Dr K Davis,

Mason's Court,

Cockermouth, Cumbria.

Updated: 12:44 Saturday, September 08, 2001