AS A patriotic Yorkshire-man whose ancestral associations with Northamptonshire have required him to spend a great deal of time in that county over the last few years, I find Chris Titley's article Nation of Countries (August 11) exceedingly offensive.

Northamptonshire (Rose of the Shires) is a county with much to commend it. It has delightful villages in thatch and mellow ironstone (many with excellent pubs).

It has pleasant rolling countryside, plenty of places of interest and an extensive, well-maintained footpath network (North Yorkshire is rated by the Ramblers' Association as the worst authority in the country).

Northamptonshire would be an ideal centre for a leisurely cycling holiday - I cannot understand why it is so shunned by tourists.

It does not have the grandeur, variety and sheer size of Yorkshire; but Chris Titley's vulgar derogation is rude, unnecessary and untrue. It belittles Yorkshire itself.

Robert Stevens,

Bootham Crescent, York.