Not even a flash in the pan, Brighton and Hove Council assure me. They reckon someone was just having a bit of April Fool's Day fun with that notion and there are no plans for anything like that. Well, that's a relief then.

We carried a short story the week before last about hopes a road in either Brighton or Hove would be named in commemoration of war hero Squadron Leader Robin McNair.

He spent school holidays in Hove and later worked in a Brighton bank. He died three years ago in Chichester aged 77. The fighter pilot notched up 300 sorties against the enemy and was awarded the DFC and bar. He was also widely believed to have disabled Field Marshal Rommel.

It was a story that rekindled memories for John Wagg, of Worthing, who was also in 87 Fighter Squadron. John is now in his early sixties and left the Air Force 40 years ago, but is proud not only of the squadron's heritage but also of having met Mr McNair 15 years ago at a dinner and reunion.

The hero was just what you would expect, John tells me, a quiet, unassuming man who deserved the utmost respect.

As to the squadron itself, disbanded in 1961, it has a distinguished history. It was founded in 1917 as part of the Royal Flying Corps and was sent to France. In the late Thirties as the RAF Aerobatic Team it flew three Gloster Gladiators actually tied together wing-tip to wing-tip.

In 1942 when Mr McNair was with the 87 it was dispatched to the North African sector and progressed up through Italy to the end of the war.

John would love to hear from anyone who was with the 87. Give him a ring on 01903 266455.

Now, a gentle reminder to some of you letter-writers. We're delighted to give you a chance to have your say in the paper, but as I wrote several weeks ago, please give us a sporting chance. A couple of people have complained they thought we ruined the sense of their letters in the editing.

We do try to be as sensitive as possible when we cut over-long letters, but it is very hard for us when we are faced with yards of typescript.

When you're judging how much to write, have a look at our letters pages. That'll give you an idea as to the right sort of length. You'll be happy with our editing and we'll be delighted that your letters are such a joy to prepare for print.

Finally, two apologies. Firstly to Peter Eubanks and his twin brother. We mixed up our pictures and published the wrong photograph with a report last month of a court case involving Peter.

Secondly to Hobie Maynard, a pupil a Carlton Hill Primary School, Brighton, who had a letter in our special Children's Letters extra yesterday. A wrong headline ended up on his plea to end racism. Our mistake was embarrassing and stupid. It ruined his delight at seeing his letter in print and will have offended all who saw it.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.