CHRISTMAS: A recent report claimed that attendance for Christmas services at Northern cathedrals, including Durham, is hardly more than at normal Sunday services, which figure itself is going down, perhaps because of the growth of Sunday trading.

I think these figures are misleading. They can only apply to some particular statistic, perhaps the number of communicants.

As Consort to the Mayor of Durham, I have already attended six carol services in Durham Cathedral this month, all of which I have enjoyed and all of which have been packed with enthusiastic people of all ages and many denominations.

The circular for members of the regular congregation hoping to attend the Christmas Eve carol services (when the shops will still be open) warns them that if they arrive less than an hour early they will have to stand. Does that sound like apathy? - John Hawgood, Durham.

UKRAINE

ONE can only admire the courage of Viktor Yushchenko, who is continuing to carry out public appearances and election campaigning, despite having his face so badly disfigured by poisoning (Echo, Dec 13).

A lesser man would have used the attempt on his life and his temporary loss of good looks as an excuse to hide away and give up his cause. Whatever the outcome of the re-run of the Ukrainian elections, this man deserves all the votes he receives. - EA Moralee, Billingham.

EUROPE

THE factors that distinguish a sovereign democracy from a totalitarian regime are usually blindingly obvious.

The transition from one to the other is invariably achieved by lies and deception and can occur over time and through stealth.

Suppression of free speech and deliberate denial of information are essential tools in this process and sadly we see these elements forming the basis of disturbing trends in Britain today.

True, the written and spoken word can be manipulated intentionally to mislead - even more insidious, however, is the denial of balanced information to aid this process of deception.

Can I provide a recent glaring example of this trend towards massaged news?

The French newspaper Le Monde recently conducted a massive Europe-wide survey to gauge attitudes towards the possibility of Turkey (a Muslim nation) becoming a member of the EU.

The survey revealed that, on average, 67 per cent of European citizens were firmly opposed to this plan. It further emphasised that, despite this expression of opinion, the godfathers of the EU were determined that, not only would Turkey's accession discussions be opened, but also would be accelerated.

A spokesman for the European Commission dismissed the survey findings by saying: "All the European leaders want it to go ahead".

The German newspaper Die Presse reported these developments, also adding that "the political dynamic is seemingly unstoppable and frightening".

Why has not one word of these findings been reported by the BBC on any news bulletins or current affairs programme?

Similarly, free speech is now mercilessly suppressed under the guise of legislation to prevent racial or religious hated. This makes legitimate criticism and justifiable expressions of concern over immigration, asylum and terrorism issues being automatically subject to a barrage of epithets such as racist or fascist. Free speech is precious and must never be suppressed.

Please be aware of the dangerous trend of New Labour towards a system where our traditional freedoms are lost by stealth. - Dave Pascoe, Press Secretary, UK Independence Party, Hartlepool Branch.

EDUCATION

I AM intrigued by the fact that every time you mention the Kings Academy in Middlesbrough in a news item, you always include the comment that their pupils are taught "creationist" (your inverted commas) beliefs alongside Darwin's theories.

Your implication seems to be that the school is doing something very odd and questionable, or even possibly wrong.

I had always thought that creationism was as much a theory as evolution in explaining the origins of human life, and therefore merited serious examination. I am not an expert in this field, but I have come across quite a number of facts in my recent reading that lead me to conclude that the argument for creation is a lot stronger than the argument for evolution.

For example, hundreds of parts are needed for an eye to function properly, and the mathematical probability of hundreds of mutations happening at precisely the same time to produce an eye with clear vision is effectively zero.

Sir Isaac Newton regarded the thumb as creation's most sophisticated tool and wrote: "In the absence of any other proof, my thumb alone would convince me of God's existence".

When I read the writings of those who advocate the view that evolutionary theory adequately explains how life began, I often feel their case is not as strong as they would have us believe. At the end of the day, the choice is whether we believe the universe is a plan or an accident.

My view is that the case for it being a plan has more credibility than the case for it being an accident. I believe creationism should be taught more widely as a consistent explanation of the origins of the universe and of human life, and I applaud Kings Academy for its openness in exploring all the options. It would be good if other schools were equally open. - David Neil, Houghton-le-Spring.

HUNTING

WHAT a fantastic Christmas present for all those opposed to the vile, barbaric practice of hunting with hounds which has now been confined to the dustbin of history.

The Countryside Alliance should stop their threatening and intimidating tactics and agree to uphold the law when comes into force on February 18. Its total disregard for the democratic process is a disgrace.

Hunts should stop breeding hounds now! - Name and address supplied.

SMOKING

HOW can smokers compare the damage they do to other people's lungs to the damage caused by exhausts of motor vehicles?

How often do cars drive around the table in restaurants? How often do vehicles drive around the desks in offices? Do many pubs allow vehicles in their bars?

How often do you see smokers puffing away as they run down motorways at 80mph? - E Reynolds, Wheatley Hill.