IS THERE life on Mars? It was hoped that Beagle 2, which landed there on Christmas Day, would provide clues to this age-old question.

Personally, however, I think it's a brilliant Open University recruitment drive to seek out these unsuspecting Martians and then enlist them on an O.U. Foundation course!

Would they too see red at student top up fees?

Phil Shepherdson,

Chantry Close,

Woodthorpe,

York.

Updated: 09:39 Monday, December 29, 2003