25 MARCH 2000, Page 35

Banana power

From Mr David Long Sir: Whether or not the old tale is true about Perkins diesels running on peanut butter (Arts, 18 March), Alan Judd neglects to mention another notable application of novel biotechnology when, in the 1955 Mille Miglia race, a stricken Citroen 2CV managed to cover more than 500 miles using a gearbox filled with bananas.

David Long

Cherry Ground, Wash Lane, Boxford, Suffolk