THERE are a lot of things wrong with the town I grew up in - in fact there's not a lot right with it.

And when I tell you that town is Newton Aycliffe, you might well agree.

Just don't have a pop at it within earshot of me.

The thing is, despite its soulless run-down town centre and its desperate lack of facilities I still regard myself as a proud Newtonian.

I am allowed to criticise the town, as is anyone who grew up there or who still lives there.

But when someone who has barely set foot in the place tells me how horrible it is, I can't help myself extolling its virtues.

For some reason - and whatever I might think or say about Aycliffe myself - I find myself defending it to the hilt if I hear anyone who has never lived there running it down.

I have many fond memories - Simpasture and St Oswalds playing parks, the boating lake, Bluebell Woods and yes, even that much-derided town centre, to name but a few.

The Burn, Moore Lane sports field, the Blue Bridge, the youthy, the rec and the complex, the annual carnival with its floats and jazz bands, Big Chief Fun Week - I could go on. These are the things I grew up with.

They're my memories and they're happy memories - and they're Newton Aycliffe memories.

Aycliffe is far from perfect, I know that of course - but don't let me hear you telling me that!