IT was interesting to see in your report that members of the Environment Agency were on hand to greet Prince Charles when he visited York, Barlby and Selby last Friday after the floods.

The agency was not prepared to attend meetings of residents directly affected by the floods at Gowdall, on the grounds that their presence was needed elsewhere for flood defence work.

How can they be available for a photo opportunity but not there to help people in their hour of need?

Bob Lewis,

Boothgate Close, Howden.

...ON behalf of the all the residents in the Leeman Road area who have been under the threat of flooding, I thank all the people involved in the emergency operations to save the area. The police, fire services, the Army, Yorkshire Water, the Environment Agency and various departments of City of York Council were involved and worked long hours in very difficult and dangerous conditions.

I am very sorry that some contributors to your letters page seem to be trying to encourage antagonism between different areas of the city hit by the floods. It appears that they are using the flood victims to score political points.

Everyone must have sympathy for those people in all the areas of the city, and beyond, who have been flooded out of their homes. The residents of Leeman Road know from previous experience what this is like and realise how lucky they have been this time.

Ruth Potter,

Constantine Avenue,

Tang Hall,

York.