31 JANUARY 2004, Page 29

Lay off the Welsh

From Eirlys Cooper Sir: Well done, Stuart Reid. It raises my spirits to see the courage displayed by such writers in an age of political correctness (Diary, 24 January). Admittedly, it's still open season on the Welsh, whereas any such mention of any other group would bring all hell on his head.

One or two little corrections, however; the Welsh were inhabiting these islands long before the English left Germany, and there are very few Welsh people who have curly dark hair and close-set eyes — I should know; I'm Welsh, and proud of it!

Oh, and don't worry about the CRE — they couldn't give a toss about Welsh people either.

Eirlys Cooper

Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire