Les Holley ('...and honours', Times Letters, January 17) suggests a more demotic honours system where "people are nominated and chosen by the public".

They are, up to a point, as anyone may suggest a name, with reasons, to the Honours Committee that judges such things. What Mr Holley resents, perhaps, is the bestowal of honours and titles on the great and grand.

But why not? They are a most inexpensive and sought-after way to reward achievement and good behaviour, be it among servants of the State, ambitious entrepreneurs, sporting achievers, academics, soldiers, do-gooders, etc. Such honours, as is right, flow from the Monarch and are ceremonially bestowed at Buckingham Palace.

Another tier of honours, at town and borough level, to be awarded annually by the mayor of the year, at his/her own pleasure, would very much reward the host of unsung carers, charity workers and meritorious folk of all kinds whom each mayor encounters during his of her year in office.

Such awards must be non-political, obviously. But it would take political will to install the system and I look forward to the idea being floated in a manifesto for our May local elections. It would win my vote.

John Hart

Mountview, Mill Hill