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Abuse of animals for pleasure is not anybody's right or freedom. No sane person argues for the legalisation of bear-baiting or cockfighting.

I feel sorry for the small number of people who might have their livelihoods affected by a ban on hunting. But the harsh reality is that there are no jobs for life in this day and age.

Sure, there will be protests from pro-hunting extremists. Lawful protest is their right. But if they choose to break the law then they must accept the consequences of so doing. Whatever the nature of the protests, they will not last.

The Government needs to keep its nerve now and use the Parliament Act if necessary to allow the ban on hunting with dogs to proceed. This ought not to be necessary, the House of Lords should not obstruct the will of the democratically elected chamber.

Richard Ormerod

Oakenshaw, Co Durham

Changing times

I WAS unhappy to read the one-sided article about the Braes of Derwent Hunt (Advertiser, week ending October 16). It talks in great depth about hunting being a 'tradition' and describes in detail the chase by the hounds from Ryton to Blaydon, culminating in the inevitable death of a fox as though this is quite acceptable and 'the norm.'

This is most certainly not the norm in today's civilised society. It is an outdated practice and will rightly be stopped. At least 72 hounds chase one fox during a hunt. Is that fair game?

Talk of putting the hounds down as a result of a ban on this barbaric 'sport,' is an argument being used to play on the emotions of the unsuspecting public who are unaware that thousands of dogs used in hunting are put down annually when they are deemed past their best or are ill, as are greyhounds and racehorses.

Those who work on the hunts moan that should it end they will have no jobs and they don't have any other skills. Just like the miners when they were striking, they were told by Margaret Thatcher that they would have to learn new ones, which is of course what they will have to do. Many people past and present are unfortunately being made redundant and a reason for a lot of it is changing times. Get used to it.

Amanda Laverick, Durham City

Assembly vote

We will shortly have the opportunity to say whether we want to support our politicians and their interests or to say 'No' and contain their wider expensive ambitions to the established local government processes.

At the last local elections the move to the LibDems came about because the electorate looked for change from long years of poor performance by the Labour council. It is to be regretted that the LibDem council is now compromised by their national party policy which is hell bent on getting us into a federal Europe and they are therefore silent on the matter. They will sleep contentedly as Durham City returns to Labour from either of the unitary council options which will follow a yes vote for a regional assembly.

The gentle 'guidance' to the electoral commission from Government has guaranteed absolute Labour control of the region if the vote is 'Yes,' almost regardless of the option we voters select for the councils.

Based on the returns of wards within the proposed boundaries at the last local election: County as it is - probably 87 per cent Labour; combined north and east Durham - probably 90 per cent Labour; combined Durham and Easington - probably 80 per cent Labour.

Bill Purvis, High Shincliffe

Facts please

I HAVE received a letter from Brendan Foster. It suggests that to be proud and positive I have to vote 'Yes' to a regional assembly.

He tells me he is not political and is independently minded. He is voting 'Yes' and asks me to follow suit.

A successful 'No' vote would have little impact, but could I be independently minded and vote 'Yes' with the lack of facts? No.

Indeed what we need is facts and practical information not suppression and supposition.

I would look to this paper to be impartial and give us these requirements, but county council publicity for the single unitary authority was delivered with the Advertiser. To achieve a single unitary authority, one has to vote 'Yes' to a regional assembly.

I would remind the region's voting population, this situation arose out of the Deputy Prime Minister Mr Prescott's office. He was once a senior official in the Seaman's Union, now under the banner of RMT.

Can anyone point to satisfactory outcomes in projects. the Deputy Prime Minister has had principal involvement in? Why should we take him on trust to deliver a North-East Regional Assembly that has autonomy to a level beneficial to the region?

H G Hansen, Durham

* The Advertiser has endeavoured to present both sides of the argument fairly. Equally, paid-for advertising material such as the county council publicity mentioned is accepted from both sides.

Public art

On the face of it Durham City Council's plan to ask future developers to contribute one per cent of the value of their scheme to provide funds for public works of art for the city seems an admirable idea.

The wooden sculpture that stood below Prebends Bridge, The Upper Room, and had to be dismantled by the artist for safety reasons was in my mind something that both amused and entertained young and old alike when walking the riverbanks.

Alas, I won't be holding my breath while waiting for developers to contribute to new works.

Belmont and Dragonville are now one huge building site, with developments ranging from B&Q and fast food outlets on the new retail park, to offices, football arenas and garage showrooms on the former civil service club.

As most, or all, were granted planning consent long before the council's initiative, the boat has been well and truly missed

One per cent of nothing is nothing, so I fail to see where the contributions will come from.

Hopefully, we will be saved from yet another committee which will foist its ideas of what is good for the city landscape on us, as in the case of Socarena.

F A Smith, Gilesgate Moor

Poppy appeal

On Monday, November 1, I will be launching the 2004 Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal Week in Durham.

I write to ask businesses, shops and offices to allow a collecting box on to their premises and make an appeal to the Durham public. Do not pass by one of the familiar red boxes. Stop and, within your means, give a generous sum.

The demand on the legion's resources continues to grow, not least because of the continuing conflict in Iraq. The Poppy Appeal is as relevant today as it ever was and the legion is there to help those in need in our ex-service community and their dependants.

The Legion is continuing it's Poppy People Campaign this year to recruit more volunteers who are so desperately needed. Anyone over 16 years of age can help in some way, they only need to ring 0800 085 5934.

Mary Hawgood, Mayor of Durham

Ladies toilets

I respond to Anne Iley's letter, (Advertiser week ending October 9), complaining about the ladies toilets at the Millburngate Shopping Centre. The complainant rightly pointed out that the toilets are in a poor state. She also mentioned that the toilets formerly enjoyed the presence of a cleaner.

The problems we are experiencing are not down to not having a cleaner. The problems are due to vandalism and, more importantly, a long-term lack of maintenance.

The toilets were previously operated by Durham City Council and clearly, due to limited funding, maintenance was minimal. We are continually working to improve all of the services we provide as a shopping centre and this is evident by the recent completion of our £400,000 car park refurbishment. We always planned to phase the refurbishment of the toilets once the car park was completed and these works are now under way. It should be noted that the car park was also formerly owned and operated by Durham City Council.

Andrew Bradley, centre director