19 MARCH 1994, Page 29

Ouch

Sir: Field Marshal Sir Francis Festing had a remedy for the peccadilloes of those in high places.

On hearing of an indiscretion, he would merely say 'Snip, snip'. This would be accompanied by the appropriate motion of his fingers held at a low level.

S.C. Enderby

The Riding, Hexham, Northumberland