THE Chancellor's moves to increase the market for long-term fixed rate mortgages are welcomed, but of course here in Yorkshire we are ahead of the game.

Two leading building societies, Leeds & Holbeck and Yorkshire, are already offering ten-year fixed rates at below five per cent. It's nice to see Gordon Brown endorsing Yorkshire lenders' lead.

James Dalby,

Head of research,

Bates Investment Services,

Upper Bank House,

Stoneythorpe,

Horsforth, Leeds.

Updated: 11:37 Monday, April 14, 2003