Bingo nonsense

ACCORDING to recent press reports, a town council in Suffolk has banned bingo callers using its town hall from using traditional calls of "88 – two fat ladies", and "legs 11", even though no complaints have ever been received.

The aim, apparently, has nothing to do with the potential for giving offence, but is to avoid the possibility of being sued.

What a mockery of democracy and equality. Obviously, the offensive word in the first is "fat" and since we all have legs, the second would appal only people blessed (or cursed) with 11 of them.

Humour is the only response to this lunacy, and I hope the callers involved will leave a short gap after calling these numbers. The audience will surely provide a chorus of time-honoured elaboration.

ROBERT DOW

Ormiston Road

Tranent, East Lothian