NOT many people can claim to have received correspondence from one of America's most famous men of letters - a novelist, playwright and political columnist of the finest order.

Peter Luff did. But, unfortunately, it was a case of mistaken identity.

Peter's curiosity was aroused by a rather splendid looking envelope.

Inside was a letter from the great man himself - Gore Vidal (address Los Angeles, California). The subject was an invite to speak at an event in Westminster.

Mr Vidal - respected the world over - was politely turning down a request to speak at a One World event.

But Peter, flattered as he undoubtedly was, had not been trying to lure Mr Vidal to London. Then he realised.

The invite had instead been made by the other Peter Luff - a friend of actor John Cleese and a member of the former SDP party.

Our Peter couldn't resist writing back, however.

"I thought when I saw the envelope there had been a mistake but just to make sure we opened it and I fear it is as we thought - you have confused me with the other Peter Luff," he penned.

"He is a year or two older than me and also involved in politics though is of a slightly different political persuasion to my own.

"Over the years our paths have tended to cross one another so I have generally known where to find him but I fear at present his whereabouts are unknown to me.

"I hope that his original letter to you made it clear where he could be found but I fear he has no address at the Houses of Parliament."

But Peter then went on: "It was a privilege to receive a letter from someone so distinguished as you and I felt unwilling simply to mark the envelope 'Not known at this address - Return to sender'!

"You are the first in a long line of people who have confused us, including restaurants who sat him at the wrong table and builders who have tried to make me pay his bills."