THE rose is to be eradicated from England, every rose bush uprooted up and burned on mass bonfires.

It has been decreed that roses are dangerous, because children or animals might be pricked by the thorns.

There is also the fear that some unfortunate creatures might try to eat the prickly plants, and that wouldn't do their throats any good. Furthermore, Scotland is to be purged of every thistle, Wales of every leek and daffodil, and Ireland of every shamrock. That is only the beginning; once we get going there won't be a maple tree left in Canada.

No, relax. It's all in my imagination. Well, not quite all. I am a Manxman, and the national emblem of the Isle of Man is the cushag. The cushag is also known by its botanical name Senecio jacobaea, and by its common name ragwort.

I have read several recent letters in your columns with headings such as "Root out Ragwort" or "Dangerous Weed" (Mrs K Catterall, BEN August 30) urging us to uproot and destroy this delightful yellow-flowered herb. They say it could be harmful if a horse or a child swallowed it. Well, so could many things! How would you feel if it was the rose?

An emblem is a symbol or representation of a nation. Must we go over the top in eradicating everything that could be potentially harmful to someone or something even if it is means something to other people?

Rev Philip Brew

Lostock Vicarage

Lowside Avenue

Lostock

Bolton