I REFER to the now legalised form of highway robbery also known in a few circles as council tax demands.

While everybody in the county will accept last year was extraordinary with

floods, foot and mouth, the Selby train crash etc and a rise in tax demands could reasonably be expected this year, am I living in a dream world that if 2002 proves to be a very unexceptional year we will next year see a reduction in our demands for 2003.

Perhaps we should elect my own town council to the other tiers of government -

they managed to limit their own increase to 1pc. Well done Kirkbymoorside, the rest of you go and hang your heads in shame.

Interestingly, there are no local elections this year - well there is a coincidence.

ANDREW SUTER

Kirkbymoorside

Updated: 10:53 Thursday, March 28, 2002