I HAVE read the article, Tank Hero slapped with parking fine, (Echo, March 7) I write to express my disgust that the Borough of Poole is so hidebound by red tape that it took your paper to extract an apology. Why is it nowadays that officials cannot use their initiative? Everyone seems to have to go by the book, to the very letter.

So glad it ended happily, but wouldn't it have been nice for someone to have sent a small token of cash or flowers to his girlfriend; but I suppose that is not in the book? What a pity.

DEREK LEE, Branksome Park, Poole