DRAINAGE WORK: CAN I inform Pamela McGough (HAS, Page 4, Dec 12) that I helped to set up the Eden Residents' Association and have helped officers with casework.

The last time I was invited to their meeting was when I reported on the improvements to street lighting in the Craddock/ South/Stratton and Baff Street areas of Spennymoor.

I have informed officers I will only attend meetings if requested. I was not invited to the last meeting, when a Northumbrian Water presentation was given.

I have been in communication with Northumbrian Water on a number of occasions about the flood risk problems in the Baff Street area, notably September 21, 1998, and September 16, this year, by letter, fax and telephone.

Prior to this, Sedgefield Borough Council was the agent and we arranged for cameras to inspect the drains during August 1994. Blocked gullies and the silt were cleared out. A considerable amount of officers' time was taken up in an attempt to solve the flooding problems at Baff/South/Stratton/Craddock Streets.

During the past two years, I have inspected and reported blocked drains to Durham County Council.

I thank Northumbrian Water for its support and backing up its reports to me in writing. Its staff have been excellent. - Councillor Ben Ord, Spennymoor Ward, Sedgefield Borough Council.

YOUTH BEHAVIOUR

RE your story, Police hunt teenagers after village church is vandalised (Echo, Dec 19). The report by Bessie Robinson on what is now a daily occurrence throughout Wear Valley district must question the ability of the district council, the police and others in authority who are supposed to make sure such offences are at a minimum.

Instead, we see a continuous disregard for property and the rights of the citizen to go about their business without the fear of intimidation and abuse on a daily basis.

We have police community support officers who are never there when they should be on a night and at weekends and a police station closed on a night and at weekends. So the question is: when are these offenders going to be caught?

While the church in question, St Andrew's, South Church, Bishop Auckland, is of importance, the question of old, sick people who are being targeted on many occasions is a far more serious issue.

The residents of Wear Valley have a choice. Let these children know that they are not going to be tolerated - or take the consequences. - John Young, Crook, County Durham.