ASCOT chief executive Douglas Erskine-Crum is reported to have delivered a stinging attack on hospitality sharks whom he claims are offering inflated packages for the meeting at York next year.

Research by The Birmingham Midshires shows northerners earn an average of £1,828 a month before tax, more than £500 a month less than the £2,382 earnings of southerners.

He must be unaware of the hospitality charges at Wimbledon and that supply and demand prevails north of Watford.

D Green,

Huntsman's Walk,

Acomb, York.

Updated: 09:42 Friday, September 03, 2004