WITH reference to the proposed cut in city council funding to the York Stagecoach Theatre, no one who has seen what the actors do can fail to be impressed by director John Cooper's professional approach and the beneficial effect this has had on numerous young people in boosting their self-confidence and social skills.

Nor is it the least of the great strengths of Stagecoach that it seeks to involve a wide diversity of children of different ages and all social backgrounds.

This includes a fair number with varying degrees of mental or physical handicap who are, nevertheless, encouraged to play a full part alongside the others.

If you have ever seen Stagecoach perform, you will have no doubts as to the immense value to the community that this funding represents. In terms of the council's budget, the present annual grant of £9,500 is minuscule, but it is a matter of life and death to the survival of Stagecoach. To kill off Stagecoach by cutting this funding would not only be an act of extraordinary meanness, but would make virtually no difference to the council's overall financial position - perhaps half a dozen rockets at next year's firework display.

Tim Gates,

Hampden Street, York.

Updated: 11:32 Wednesday, January 11, 2006