AS A young man observing the progress of the efforts to restore the Midland hotel to its former glory by the friends of the Midland, could I take the opportunity to suggest the perfect inspiration for the hotel's revival: the RMS Queen Mary, now at her permanent berth in Long Beach, California.

The Midland was opened in 1933, a year before the Queen Mary's launch at Clydebank, Scotland in 1934.

Both contain similar elements of art deco grandeur and inspired work by farmers, artists and craftsmen of the period.

Marion Dorn designed carpets at the Midland and also for the Queen Mary.

Both the Midland and Queen Mary are reminders of a bygone age; of enterprise, glamour and style of which will never be seen again, its extinction must be stopped.

The Midland Hotel is part of Morecambe's heritage, it is Morecambe's most symbolic and stylish building that deserves to succeed as a fully restored hotel and to the full benefit of local people and future generations.

Duncan Blair

Westgate

Morecambe