Sir – Having read Robert Paley's letter (D&S, Aug 15) I had to check the date was not the 1st of April

For someone to still be in business to have this attitude to potential customers is astonishing. He even insulted them by calling them ill clad and obese.

I was in Hawes myself last week and many of the visitors were foreign probably encouraged by the publicity of the Tour de France and the hype about how wonderful Yorkshire and it's people are.

Well thankfully most of the local people in Hawes are welcoming and not are not resentful of the visitors whose spending keep many of the shops open and local employment up.

Perhaps Mr Paley's should re-think his career and go into one where he does not have to be dealing with the public.

ELAINE MATTHEWS

Marley Close, Stockton on Tees.