I AGREE with Mrs Townsend and her American tourists that some of the gnomes outside the Blue Moon Trading gift shop in Goodramgate are offensive (March 16).

It is all about keeping up standards of decency, having respect for women and setting a good example to children.

It is a sad reflection on the lack of taste of the shopkeepers and of the people who buy these products.

I spent my life in the Army and am probably unshockable, but these lewd gnomes are an unacceptable sight for the many women who have asked me if I could do something about having them removed.

Those of us who live in the area are subjected frequently to this reprehensible sight when we pass.

I hope York residents who think as I do will make their views known to City of York Council.

Major Mike Wilks,

Aldwark, York.

I VISITED my friend in York and was disgusted with the obscene gnomes on display outside the Blue Moon shop in Goodramgate.

As yet the degrading commercialisation of the male penis hasn't caught up with the exploitation of women's breasts - but this is gradually happening.

As an artist I revere the human body and it sickens me to see it made an object of dirty jokes and ugly "money making".

If it isn't possible to ban such objects, at least let them be displayed inside the sort of shops frequented by unsuspecting souvenir- hunters and visitors.

B C Batstone,

Derbyshire Crescent,

Wallaton Nottingham.

....I COULD not agree more with Joan Townsend, the tour operator - the gnomes disgust and anger many visitors and York residents too.

I was particularly angry at Christmas when they had Santa exposing himself in a similar way. This was disgraceful, Santa Claus still is a very special and well-loved symbol for children.

I told the shop owner she should be ashamed of herself displaying such items on a low shelf outside the shop for children to come face to face with. This should be a punishable offence.

I hope others will make their feelings known to prevent standards lowering in this beautiful city.

Mrs A D Baxendale,

Lucombe Way,

Hartrigg Oaks,

New Earswick, York.

Updated: 11:51 Saturday, March 23, 2002