Sir, – As a Herriot fan, I was concerned to read your front page article about the branding of the name of James Herriot and agree with his son and daughter that their father would have been upset by this development.

I am a Thirsk Tourist Information Centre volunteer (though not writing in an official capacity) and we see many visitors from home and abroad who cherish his memory and still come flocking to see his former home and surgery at the World of James Herriot.

However, I would plead with all parties concerned to come together on this issue, perhaps with a mutually trusted intermediary, with a view to both sides getting something positive out of the discussions.

Might it be possible for Mr and Mrs Kiely to agree in perpetuity to a small royalty on all items they sell under these brand names, to be shared between causes which I know are dear to Jim and Rosie’s hearts and Ian Ashton’s, i.e. Herriot Hospice Homecare and the Endowment Trust set up as part of the Herriot statue memorial fund (I may have got the terminology wrong).

This could be done in direct discussion between the parties without resort to solicitors and litigation, which would be costly both financially and personally to all parties in this dispute.

I am sure neither side would wish to tarnish James Herriot’s memory as a result of this issue, by entering into a long and increasingly acrimonious legal dispute which neither side would “win” in the end.

TED NAISBITT

Kings Meadows, Sowerby, Thirsk.