STREET CHILDREN: YOUR article (Echo, Jul 3) about the plight of street children in Columbia gives the impression that the organisation, The Children of the Andes, operates exclusively in Medellin - not so.

This charity, under the leadership of Peter Walters, has operated in Medellin since 1994, maintaining accommodation, education facilities and medical assistance. In addition, basic meals are distributed in the evenings in the known collection points in the city.

We will wish Duncan Bannatyne well in his endeavours to help in any way these unfortunate children. - B Towns, Assistant Secretary, North-East Branch, Let The Children Live.

SMACKING

SO the do-gooders of this country think that children should do what they like, say what they like and come and go as they like and never be checked or chastised.

Have these people never stopped to think that they are creating a nation of little thugs and criminals of the future?

If children are not going to do as their parents tell them, what makes other people think they will have more success with them when they have grown up into adults?

As things go at the moment, children are setting fire to buildings, drinking, taking drugs, smoking, and doing damage to other people's property just for kicks, and all this is due to lack of discipline.

We dare not leave our houses unattended now, but in ten years' time it will be much worse. So perhaps the do-gooders can give us some advice on how we will defend ourselves when that time arrives.

It is a pity that people cannot divert their attentions to the more important things in life rather than create monsters for the future. God help England. - NM Peart, West Auckland.

REGIONAL GOVERNMENT

MAKE no mistake about it, the only reason that we are being offered an elected North-East Regional Assembly is because it is a requirement of the EU.

I have a pamphlet, published in January 1996, by the Representation of The European Commission in the United Kingdom entitled The North East, A Region of the European Union.

Anyone who believes otherwise is being deceived and I would advise everyone to send for a copy of the pamphlet. - J Routledge, Witton Gilbert, Co Durham.

FOLLOWING the admission from Nick Raynsford that the draft bill on regional assemblies will contain no new powers for skills or transport policy, there are many who will say that the proposed assemblies will make no real difference to the region.

However, we must not dismiss what is on offer, an historic opportunity to give the region a strong united voice.

Improvements can be made with the powers that are on offer. There have been consistent calls for more powers from business and pro-assembly supporters, it is time for the Government to respond. The pro supporters are correct in saying "there is still everything to play for". - S White, Bishop Auckland.

ANTHONY BUCKERIDGE

IT is sad to note the passing of an author who has brought reading pleasure to millions (Echo, June 29). Anthony Buckeridge, author of the Jennings books, has given the gift of laughter to many, especially those of use who remember sitting close to the wireless set and listening to the adventure of Jennings, Darbisher and their pals.

School stories are again popular. Jennings was one of the first series of books turned into a radio serial all those years ago. Jennings and co didn't need magician's magic tricks to grab the reader or listener. He had a magic all his own, just being Jennings. Thank you, Anthony Buckeridge. - EA Moralee, Billingham.

FATHERS 4 JUSTICE

I FIND your editorial (Echo, Jul 12) patronising and irresponsible. While you recognise that the cause of fathers seeking an equal relationship with their children after divorce, you have done nothing for the past 30 years to highlight the plight of children whose fathers have been removed from their lives.

You and the media sat silent when, for 30 years, the Family Courts in this country discriminated against fathers, and abused children.

Had you raised the issue, surely Fathers 4 Justice would not have had to come up with stunts to grab public attention, and raise the awareness of the public to this atrocious crime against the children and the future of this country and society committed by a corrupt judiciary and legal system.

Shame on you. How dare you to sit smug and criticise fathers who are campaigning for their children's God-given birthright? What have you done to rectify this injustice? - Randy Peterson, London.

ELECTIONS

IT appears that politicians are worried that not everyone votes in elections and they seem to have two alternatives, one being postal votes and the other being a fine on those who do not vote.

Why not have a third option? The National Lottery has millions of pounds for good causes, so if they offered a free prize draw of £1m for everyone who voted, then the queues would encircle the voting places.

Another option might be that the Government offer a free prize draw from the money saved by not having a postal vote. - E Reynolds, Wheatley Hill.

IRAQ

SO the trial of Saddam Hussein has begun and it will probably be a long, drawn-out affair.

Milosevic, the ex-president of Serbia, has been on trial at The Hague for about three years now and there is no reason to believe the trial of the Iraqi dictator will end any sooner.

As far as the Americans and probably ourselves are concerned, it might have been better if Saddam had not survived the war.

There is bound to be a lot of facts come out relating to our support for him in the past.

This is the trouble with supporting unsavoury dictators, sooner or later they will call your own morality into question.

The next few years are going to be very interesting. - Hugh Pender, Darlington.