I disassociate myself from your report headlining costs of £6,000 for a Royal visit (September 13). In fact the costs are incurred by measures taken for the protection of all VIP visits to the area.

The officers concerned, three sergeants and 12 constables, are members of the firearms support unit and as such are on call 24/7 for any incident which may demand an armed presence.

To allocate the costs of such a unit against the visit of any VIP is unfair because they are incurred anyway.

To allocate them in your paper against the royal family and with pictures - the Duke of York - is royal bashing of the worst order and unworthy of the Press.

Charles Rushton,

Pasture Close,

Strensall,

York.

Updated: 10:05 Thursday, September 16, 2004