THE success of the euro launch has exceeded all expectations. Only one regret can be referred to - Britain is not part of "euroland."

The eurosceptics, tiresome as ever, claim that the UK has a greater percentage of its trade with the rest of the world than with the EU. They may be right, but it is a close call. What is undisputed is that the EU is Britain's largest trading partner, of course.

Not only that, but many large American and Japanese companies in this country would welcome the chance to use the single currency for trading. Many jobs depend on a close relationship with our European neighbours.

Nor is it just a question of economics. Membership of "euroland" would also enhance our political and social relationships with Europe, USA and Japan.

On a personal note, in the past, I had holidays abroad. How such holidays would have been facilitated if I had not had to fiddle about exchanging currencies, losing 10 per cent of my money in the process.

Also I remember one occasion, at the "duty free" in Calais, I became completely confused in regard to French francs, Belgian francs and sterling.

So much so that I had to return some of the goods, having taken more than I could finance!

Nevertheless, the young Frenchman at the check-out was very helpful and remained very good-humoured about it. But, oh, how different it would have been if we had all used the same currency.

D E MARGRETT,

Worcester.