RP O'Keeffe (Snr's) vitriolic condemnation of the deliciously ironical outlook of Eric Leavers' column (LET, March 13) serves as a rich reminder that 'sarcasm' is, sadly, a dying art form.

I am just about old enough to remember when the Soviets used to report the purveyors of such literary wit to some far-flung gulag in order to suppress even a hint of a titter.

Let us all hope that the sense of humour transplant that Mr O'Keeffe has endured is only available on the NHS after a very long wait!

JEFFREY STONE, Jeff Stone Hairdressing, Fleming Square, Blackburn.