Dear Jo: Tale of two Dianas.

MY HEART goes out, no, not to Diana Ross but to the poor security officer who had to deal with her.

For the last 11 years of my working life, I was a security officer at Heathrow.

One day, I had to search Earl Spencer, Princess Diana's father, while a female officer had to search Diana as she was leaving Heathrow to travel to Australia.

None of this business of "You mustn't touch me, I'm famous." It passed off very pleasantly in a jokey atmosphere.

I have travelled a lot through Heathrow, and even though I am recognised by the staff I still have to go through the same checks as everyone else. I know they are trying to ensure that I reach my destination safely. I hope that someone in authority will tell Diana Ross the basic facts about hijackers.

Cliff Hardy, Terminal 1 ex-security staff, King's Langley, Herts

I APPRECIATE that security guards at Heathrow and elsewhere have jobs to do. But touching the genitalia of men and women is not part of a normal body search or frisking technique. I had to frisk people when I was a nursing assistant in a psychiatric hospital.

I have also been subjected to a body search by a female police officer and I'll never forgive them for that humiliation. An intimate search of a suspect's body requires a degree of co-operation.

Mrs E Timonksa, address supplied

THE security guard should not be criticised for following standard practice. Only stringent adherence to security screening protocols will ensure an effective system. Established procedures must not be undermined by security guards with discretionary powers who decide who will or will not be "frisked".

Sally Cole, Southampton, Hants

MIGHT I suggest that Diana Ross, instead of being frightened, terrified, violated and humiliated by an airport security officer doing her job, was suffering from a severe dose of the "Don't you know who I am?" syndrome. And the only damage was to her ego.

C H Allsop Smethwick, W Midlands

I TRAVELLED from Gatwick with British Airways in June and went through the drill Diana Ross is making a big fuss over.

Unlike her, I^didn't take offence. I could have told the officer I have a metal hip.

I admit it's embarrassing, but if this security procedure was taken up at other airports there would be less chance of another Lockerbie tragedy. By the way, I travelled economy, but it pleases me to know celebrities are also searched on the spot.

Carmel Leahy Woking, Surrey

HOW on earth was the incident allowed to deteriorate to a state of farce which has been reported all over the world?

Surely the easy solution was to have invited Miss Ross to remove the guilty object, a silver belt buckle, and then ask her to walk through the security barrier once more.

Problem solved, and no embarrassment to either Miss Ross or the security officers.

John Ross Aston, Oxon