On March 31, 2004, a particular British technical achievement will be consigned to the history books.

Cable identification colours within immovable structures and buildings will change. Most householders will be unaware of this change and perhaps couldn't give two hoots.

But European community bosses believe the United Kingdom and other allied States should have a common identification colour for fixed wiring cables.

In this country we have a three-phase system, that is three phases and a neutral conductor that evenly distribute power into our homes, factories and offices.

At the moment we use red, yellow and blue to identify the three phases. These will be replaced with brown, black and grey. Blue will become the new neutral colour identification. Confused? Lets hope 60,0000 UK electricians won't be.

The new drab colours are seen by some as a positive move but just imagine if we changed the colour of other things around us.

How about turning buttercups from yellow to black?

-Peter Mitchell, Shoreham