Letter: Start counting from the year nought

Sir: Michael Dean (Letters, 29 September) is quite correct in saying that the first year of the next millennium will be AD2001. However, people quite properly celebrate decadal birthdays, the popular ones being 40 and 50. Confusion will remain so long as people forget that their own lives start with a year nought, whereas calenders start with a year one.

Yours faithfully,

BERNARD COLEMAN

Peterborough

29 September