MY wife and I had the most brilliant fun at the races here in York on Saturday and walked back into town with thousands of very good natured and "happy" other drinkers and race goers in our midst.

Knowing that York often changes personality due to race day drinking, we decided to stay away from the centre and instead called into Hotel du Vin for what we were hoping was a relatively quiet drink in their "snug".

It was fairly quiet, at first, and so began the quiet relaxation we were hoping for after a full day's racing. However, the place was soon taken over by a group of fairly good natured, though intoxicated and very boisterous, young men intent on drinking themselves into oblivion.

This completely spoilt the atmosphere and heaven only knows what the number of other resident couples in the bar thought of these proceedings.

York hoteliers - and their security staff - need more race day confidence in order that they can maintain the integrity of their "offer" and keep well behaved residents and local customers feeling safe at all times.

Keith Rozelle, Dixons Yard, York