HOTEL PLEA: WITH reference to your article on the White Horse Hotel, Darlington (Echo, April 6), I would like to ask the owners of the hotel why they want to demolish a building of such great character which has a history behind it?

Instead of building modern flats on the site (which compared to the present building could be an eyesore) why don't they try selling this hotel to another landlord, who may have the money to enhance the appearance of this magnificent building even further? - Margaret Greenhalgh, Darlington.

FACE OF DEATH

I DISAGREE passionately with Ruth Campbell (Echo, Apr 7) about displaying unburied corpses in public.

Simple human respect suggests that once a human being ceases to be able to control his or her body, whether through death or disability, that body should be treated with the greatest of reverence and, as far as possible, it should not be treated as if it had become the property of others.

I guess that in former days when very few people could read or write, numerous witnesses were needed so that future testimony as to identity could be given.

Sometimes there were rival popes or kings, and sometimes there were accusations of replacement, with spurious births, weddings or burials. But now, with proper written certificates and identification processes, we do not need ghoulish displays of corpses.

As to Ireland, with all respect to Ruth Campbell, is it a coincidence that, with terrorism etc, life has been cheaper there, and does this coincide with the ghoulish goings-on at some Irish funerals? - E Turnbull, Gosforth.

Susan Willis stated that the death of Pope John Paul is of no interest to the people of this country and that only a small proportion of British people are Christians (HAS, Apr 7).

The death of the Pope is of great significance to Great Britain as we are a Christian nation. While John Paul was head of the Catholic Church, many Protestants and Methodists have joined their Catholic counterparts in mourning the death of the him, throughout the world. - Christopher Wardell, Darlington.

IN THE BAG

RECYCLING rubbish - is it just a waste of time? Well it certainly is for this Darlington household.

On one occasion there was no sign of the recycling wagon. Paper and rubbish was strewn all over Yarm Road and Geneva Road.

I rang the council - the wagon had broken down, and they would send a smaller vehicle round to collect the waste. That never happened, so off I went to do my duty and recycle the waste.

The next collection day, two bags full and a green container were placed well away for disposable waste. The binmen took away two bags of recycling, leaving the green containers full.

Shall I now assume that the disposal team can only grasp that they have to empty green containers and leave everything else that is placed on top or adjacent?

Perhaps the council can tell people what to do if they have too much placed for collection? Putting it into bags must be tidier than overflowing containers.

The same goes for paper waste. The binmen only seem capable of emptying one coloured sack, never mind if it's placed on top of two full bags of paper waste. - JM Smith, Darlington.

HEALTH RISKS

JUST as the BSE and salmonella disasters of the 1980s and 1990s exposed the risks of industrial meat and egg production, the Sudan I problem has again reminded us of health risks in our food.

Surely there should be similar concern about the health risks of our increased meat consumption.

All informed opinion stresses the need for reduced consumption of animal products, and an increased intake of fibre rich carbohydrates, fresh fruit and vegetables, to minimise the health risk.

The impact of our increased consumption is the direct suffering caused to millions of animals incarcerated in deprived and barren environments.

If any of your readers care about their health and welfare, they can visit Compassion in World Farming Trust's Eat Less Meat website at www.eatlessmeat.org for ideas on how to eat less meat, or more welfare friendly meat, and for meat-less recipes. - Name and address supplied.

IN DEFENCE

IMPRESSED with Sunderland's march towards a Premiership return, I was interested to read in the report "Caldwell keeps a level head" (Echo, Apr 7) that the resolute defender had helped to neuter Wigan's strike partnership on Tuesday last.

If hat trick scorers get to keep the ball, have Caldwell and his three defensive colleagues collected similar trophies for their respective mantlepieces? - Paul Dobbie, Blaydon.

JOIN THE RUN

I AM appealing on behalf of Heart Research UK for runners to take part in the Leeds Half Marathon and Family Fun Run on Sunday, May 15. In doing so they will help support vital research in the fight against heart disease - still unfortunately the UK's number one killer.

The Leeds Half Marathon takes over 4,000 runners (both of the serious and the fun kind) through Leeds vibrant city centre, ensuring a great atmosphere throughout.

Over the past 38 years, Heart Research UK has played a major role in the fight against heart disease, funding pioneering research that has led to the major breakthroughs that we now take for granted.

So, if you know someone who has been affected by heart disease and want to give them the chance of a brighter healthier future, why not run for Heart Research UK?

The postal closing date is April 22. Potential runners can contact us on (0113) 2347474 for more information or an official entry form. - Claire Falconer, Heart Research, Suite 12D Joseph's Well, Leeds, LS3 1AB.

TRANSPLANT PLEA

ON behalf of NHS UK Transplant, I'd like to say a huge thank you to all your readers who have pledged to help others to live after their death.

Six months ago, to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the NHS Organ Donor Register, we launched a nationwide challenge to encourage a million more people to let their loved ones know their wishes and add their names to the register.

Already more than 500,000 people have said they want to leave a legacy of life to others by donating organs and tissue for transplantation.

We know that many more people are willing to help - but just haven't got round to signing up.

Last year more than 400 people died waiting for a suitable organ to be donated. Nearly 8,000 people need an organ transplant in the UK.

To find out more call the Organ Donor Line on 0845 60 60 400 or visit www.uktransplant.org.uk. - Penny Hallett, UK Transplant (NHS) Bristol.