PEOPLE in York have probably not given much thought to the 2012 Olympics. This ridiculous jamboree is London-based, is six years away and, so far, is costing them nothing. In my opinion it soon will be.

London council tax payers were given no choice by Mayor Ken Livingstone. They were compelled, on threat of going to prison, to fork out an average of £30 a year on top of their council tax. This is particularly hard on pensioners, many of whom won't be here in 2012. Furthermore, Tessa Jowell has refused to put any cap on further contributions.

York's taxpayers may be affected in two ways. It is already clear that the project is already massively over budget and that the whole nation will be saddled with debt for years . I suspect that tax will be rolled out nationwide, to fund the deficits.

Many people in York probably have a flutter on the lottery. Millions have already been "diverted" from good causes to the Olympics and millions will follow. Do the people of York approve? I see a financial disaster looming. The Treasury has announced that VAT on construction costs will not be waived, which was assumed, in the original costing. The estimated cost for security has rocketed. The chairman of the Olympic Delivery Authority has resigned. The only people to benefit will be property developers and those politicians hand in glove with them.

They will make many millions from luxury housing proposed on the site of the Olympic village when the games have ended. Their huge profits will be subsidised by the taxpayer.

I urge the people of York to protest to their MP - because this scandal does not only affect Londoners - I firmly believe it will soon affect them.

Carole Tucker, Hillside Gardens, London.