GEORGE Cowley (You Say, October 16) said how reassured he was to see the stars of the Plough still twinkling away, 52 years after first seeing them as a 12-year-old boy.

Does George realise that as the Plough is so many light years away (forgive me for not knowing the exact distance) we are seeing it as it was way before our lifetime?

Therefore, even when he saw it as a child, it might already have disappeared.

But remember, George, the brightest star is still Shirley Bassey.

KELVIN LYE, Worcester