Sir - You reported (June 15) that a competition was being launched so that schoolchildren could design new 'gargoyles' for the Bodleian Library.

This would obviously be an utterly fatuous way of replacing parts of a Grade I Listed Building, and the competition cannot possibly be intended seriously.

In any case, Listed Building Consent has not yet been granted for removal of the existing decayed carvings, which are the only original ones remaining on the building.

The city planning office has to notify the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (among other statutory bodies) of the application, but failed to do so.

When it was brought to their notice, they made a strong objection, insisting that 'historic fabric should be retained and protected wherever possible'.

The Oxfordshire Architectural and Historical Society made a similar objection.

Peter Howell, Oxford