I READ with increasing irritation the comments by Bob Waite, "The north has a great quality of life" (Letters, December 13).

Hopefully those people originating from south of the Trent now resident in and around York will have a good sense of humour and dismiss his remarks with a grin.

So am I a southerner? No. I was born in Knaresborough, have lived in York for 20 years and in Yorkshire for 44 of my 49 years. I love this county, but we do not have a monopoly on beauty.

Try expanding your very short list of southern charms, Mr Waite. Bath, Norwich, Gloucestershire and Suffolk, Dorset, not to mention London. Much more, of course, besides.

Yorkshire people have, I believe, a justifiable reputation for honesty and friendliness to "outsiders". I could be wrong, but is Mr Waite himself in need now of receipt of my charity? The Lake District is, I quote, "the jewel of England". Strange comment for a Yorkshireman to make surely?

Or do I smell a Lancastrian or Cumbrian interloper in our midst?

Mr C Corbett,

Bull Lane,

Lawrence Street, York.

Updated: 08:52 Wednesday, December 21, 2005