YET again we have the bi-annual honours list farce.

Governments continue to make a mockery of what could be a genuine gesture of thanks to people who perform duties over and above the norm, and at great personal cost.

Once more we witness a bunch of people who, in most cases, already receive over-inflated salaries for doing very rewarding and, in most cases, fulfilling jobs. Not satisfied with counting their blessings for being in that position, they then expect the status of an award.

Politicians fall into another category and often appear to be used to make up the numbers.

The real heroes are those people who undertake all manner of public services at considerable cost to themselves.

What about the carers who freely spend 24-hours-a-day looking after their loved ones, saving the taxpayer thousands of pounds?

What about the parish and town councillors who undertake similar duties to city and unitary authorities without having even their telephone calls reimbursed, let alone any form of allowance system?

What about the army of voluntary workers who work in places such as the Citizens' Advice Bureau, saving the taxpayer again? And school governors, who now have legal responsibilities? The list is endless.

The main difference being yet again, the haves and the have-nots.

As it says in the Bible "unto those that hath it will be given, unto those that hath not it will be taken away".

Liz Edge,

Parkside Close,

West Bank,

Holgate,

York.

Updated: 16:18 Friday, June 20, 2003