WHEN reading Reg Cooley's letter (September 6) I found it particularly ironic that, as an advocate of higher standards in written and spoken English, he should flaunt one of the most basic rules of grammar - never begin a sentence with the word 'and'!

Perhaps Mr Cooley would be well advised to sharpen his own literary skills before he chooses to criticise those of others.

P Clements,

Osbaldwick Lane,

York.