SIR, The greatest athlete born in Lancashire, and one who has done more for athletics and athletes in the North West, has been given the indifferent honour of carrying the Commonwealth Games Queen's baton around the 'back streets' of Manchester.

That athlete is Ron Hill, a former Commonwealth Games and European Marathon gold medallist, and a most likely Olympic champion, if the Olympic Games had not been held at altitude in Mexico City.

When Hill was in his prime there wasn't the luxury of Lottery handouts for warm weather and altitude training as today's elite athletes are given. We have no athlete today who, with the enjoyment of training without working for a living, can come anywhere near Ron's performances. He was a champion on all surfaces, cross country, road, track and fells and was also a world record holder.

He is recognised world-wide, not only for his athletic ability, but also for his self-designed athletic clothing. As a textile chemist he designed materials and colour patterns that brightened the athletics scene.

Ron is still running all over the world, even though he is now over 60, and encourages participation in athletes, to both young and old.

It will be interesting to see who gets the honour of carrying the Queen's baton into the city of Manchester stadium, but it will be no-one more deserving than Ron Hill, when the supposedly greatest Commonwealth Games of all times is held in his home city of Manchester.

Derek Howarth

Stone Cross Lane,

Lowton.