WE all appreciate the frustration caused by interrupted journeys. Traffic jams, train delays, or cancelled planes are guaranteed to send blood pressures soaring.

But when it comes to the threat of terrorism, that frustration has to be kept in perspective.

Those complaining about the cancellation of Flight BA223 from London to Washington would do well to consider the sheer terror those passengers must have felt on the aircraft involved in the September 11 atrocities.

For Flight BA223 to be grounded for a second consecutive day, the security services must have had very specific and worrying intelligence.

It will never be easy to find the correct balance between caution and over-reaction, and it is important that we do not do the terrorists' job for them by allowing fear to rule our lives.

But with terrorist cells known to be plotting further disasters, every precaution has to be taken. And if that means cancelling flights at the last-minute because of genuine concerns, then so be it.

Inconvenience is irritating - but it's not the end of the world.

Going bananas

WELL done to Darlington grocer John Lister, who is going bananas about the fight to save the Quakers.

His offer to keep the players fed with the nutritionally-rich fruit shows the kind of community spirit needed to keep the club afloat. Any support is welcome.

Let's hope it helps the lads play out of their skins!