SIR — Back in the summer, many local farmers and others were stopped and issued with spot fines or warnings for towing off-road vehicles to the Riphay Scuffle whilst using 'red' diesel - an occurrence that resembled a fairly intensively organised police operation.

Over the last few days, with impassable roads, trapped motorists etc due to the weather conditions, those same farmers have helped out wherever possible by pulling vehicles out of ditches, mercy dashes for midwives and carers, ferrying pregnant mums etc.

My only regret - and this is probably my surreal sense of humour surfacing! - is that a police car (preferably carrying a highish-ranking officer) didn't get stuck outside one of these farms, and - after requesting a bit of assistance with the tractor - was politely told that the farmer couldn't help because he only had 'red' diesel in it and it wasn't an agricultural use!

I suppose if you take it to its logical conclusion, the policeman who made such a request could possibly even be charged with "Conspiracy to pervert the course of justice"! What a bureaucratic mess we have made for ourselves.

Richard Gray,

Glebe Cottages,

Brushford.