19/05/05

What these figures hide, however, is the appalling postcode lottery of the five-year survival rate.

Government statistics published for each strategic health authority in England show that Tony Blair's former neighbours in Islington (North Central London SHA) with prostate cancer have a 73 per cent chance of surviving, whilst I and his present neighbours in Co Durham and Tees Valley SHA have only just over an even chance, 54 per cent.

The situation is even worse in Northumberland and Tyne & Wear, where the survival rate is only 37 per cent.

I have written to Tony Blair, congratulating him on being returned to power, and asking when he is going to do something about this anomaly. Choice in health treatment is one thing; survival is quite another. - S Scholes, Esh Winning.

PARTY LEADER

ONCE again the Conservatives have lost a general election and once again the Conservatives are looking for a new party leader.

Do the Conservatives really think that, by changing their party leader, they will have a better chance of winning any future general election?

Let's face it, the general public is no longer interested in Conservative Party policies.

They have had enough of them from the past, so it does not matter how many times the Conservatives change their party leader, they won't be able to win an election in spite of Labour having a reduced majority.

Wake up Tory Party. It is time to change your party policies not your party leader. - Margaret A Greenhalgh, Darlington.

CARETAKERS

THE amount of damage done to schools nowadays is incredible.

Whatever happened to the system years ago when a school was built that a caretaker's house was also built on the site?

The caretaker only worked the usual number of hours, but since he was living there, it deterred all the arsonists and thieves and vandals. - E Reynolds, Wheatley Hill.

ALL ENGLAND

WHEN the Tour of Britain cycle race starts there will be athletes proudly flying their national flags from all over the world, including Scots, Welsh and Northern Irish athletes.

There will be only one flag and nationality missing as they race through our streets and countryside: England's flag. The International Cycling Union has granted Scotland and Wales special dispensation to compete as entities separate from the GBR team.

Sport England exists on English taxpayers' money, and that money should be spent promoting England and English sports. The GB team are all English, so why not an English team?

This all ties in with promoting tourism in the North-East and England as a whole.

The Visit Scotland and Visit Wales tourist boards can do the best they can for their countries, but this Government thought fit to abolish Visit England and replace it with Visit Britain. - K Young, Darlington.

MUM'S PLEA

AS a mother and a patron of CLIC Sargent, I am writing to you to encourage your readers to support children with cancer.

In the next 48 hours, ten children will be diagnosed with cancer or leukaemia. CLIC Sargent, the UK's leading children's cancer charity, works tirelessly to support these children and their families, helping to make life a little more bearable.

CLIC Sargent is entirely funded by voluntary donations and relies on a series of fundraising initiatives to help fund vital and necessary services. I would like to appeal to your readers to help this year by encouraging them to take on their very own challenge in life.

In 2005, CLIC Sargent is setting two tough challenges. There will be a challenging trek or cycle through Peru. Choose to either cycle from Cuzco to Lake Titicaca or trek along the Inca Trail.

Alternatively, why not chose to Trek or Cycle Cuba. Starting on Christmas Day, you will either cycle 440km through villages separated by fruit orchards, sugar plantations and tree-lined avenues, or trek in the tropical scenery of the Escambray Mountains, finishing on New Year's Eve in Trinidad.

Last year, the events raised enough money to fund essential CLIC services in your area. You can help to maintain this funding in your area by visiting www.clicsargent.org.uk or call 0845 124 1188 to find out how you can support a child with cancer by taking on your own challenge. - Kirsty Young, CLIC Sargent Patron and five News Presenter.

HISTORIC VICTORY

JM Lethbridge's letter (HAS, May 13) comparing our democratically elected Labour government with a Stalinist regime is an insult to the millions of innocent people who perished in the Communist gulag system, deprived of their human rights, and unable to exercise their political or religious beliefs.

In comparison, this country has just enjoyed the spectacle of the Labour Party's third historic victory, fought and won by local residents voting for the candidate they wish to represent them in Parliament.

We now watch the Tories limp back to Smith Square HQ, leaderless yet again, calling for proportional representation, something they had ample time during their 18 years of misrule to implement, and singularly chose not to.

"Live by the sword die by the sword" springs to mind. - Joe Wellthorpe, North Ormesby.

CITY ACCESS

DURHAM is a beautiful city in which to live, work and to visit. However, appearances can be deceptive and behind the city's attraction lies real problems of access for people with physical disabilities.

Durham City's LibDem Council has revealed the percentage of its authority buildings open to the public and accessible for disabled people is less than four per cent.

This figure is shameful but unsurprising from a council which has a habit of talking a lot and delivering so little.

For Durham to flourish it must be welcoming and accessible for everyone. Disability must not be a barrier to enjoying life today, even in a city which makes much of its heritage and past.

Local Conservatives urge Durham City Council to make itself more inclusive by becoming more accessible. - Michael Fishwick, City of Durham Conservatives.

JULIAN CLARY

WHOSE idea was it to make Julian Clary the new host of The National Lottery show on BBC1?

He is terrible. Even the canned laughter does not laugh at his pathetic attempts at jokes.

He has to be one of the most dreadful television presenters of all time and his lewd remarks and homosexual puns are disgraceful.

The sooner he is replaced the better. He has no place on TV - his act is best suited for gay clubs.

Give me Bruce Forsyth any day. - Christopher Wardell, Darlington.