LETTER: I was thrilled to read of the magical Agatha Christie’s ever growing entries into the Guinness Book of World Records.

The Mousetrap has been the longest running play in London’s West End, now a compilation of Miss Marple stories, a book with a spine more than a foot wide is shortly to be published.

I am a devoted Christie reader and it is said we all have someone who is always there to give us clear and unequivocal advice.

For me that was a very dear and very close aunt, sadly no longer here, but still a major influence on the things that I say and do.

Over the years quite a few actresses have played Jane Marple. Margaret Rutherford was always my favouri- te as her particular adaptation was my first big screen sighting of the little old lady with the mind like a sharp razor.

As others have played the part my own favourite has to be Joan Hickson, she was absolutely made for the part. As to Geraldine McEwan, I always found she was too Shakespearian for the part, as I feel Julia McKenzie, her successor, will be.

I believe there is only one actress who could come anywhere close to Joan Hickson’s portrayal of Miss Mar- ple. Patricia Routledge is the obvious and only choice but as she is in such demand I feel that my dreams of ever seeing her in the part are probably as remote as an English summer.

Oh well, never mind, I can still watch my Joan Hickson DVD Marple collection, which will probably never be bettered.

Martin Eddies

Shrewsbury