Sir, - We are in the middle of a boundary committee review of the local government structures across County Durham.

This has been brought about by the Government deciding there is sufficient interest in the North-East to hold a referendum on a regional assembly. This is despite the fact there were only 400 responses from an electorate of 1.8m who wanted to hold a poll!

So, people in areas like Teesdale are being asked for their preferences on new structures for providing local services should there be a "Yes" result in next autumn's referendum.

In respect of this I believe there are two key things to remember. Firstly, all of the options for new unitary structures will mean local democracy is reduced because decision-making will be further removed from our communities.

Secondly, and most importantly, these unitary options only come into play if we actually vote to have a regional assembly. Therefore the best way to ensure you keep your local council is to vote "No" in the referendum.

Only a "No" vote can maintain local democracy in County Durham. Let's not be hoodwinked into accepting a regional bureaucracy at the cost of local democracy.

JEREMY MIDDLETON

Prospective Conservative European Parliamentary Candidate - North-East Region.

What labels mean

Sir, - I recently asked an assistant in one of the Northallerton supermarkets about what the labels meant on the meat products.

I saw labels saying "free range", "farm assured", "organic", "freedom food" and many others. She was not able to help, so I thought I would try to find out myself.

In doing so, I discovered a little booklet that other readers might find of use: I am sure that they are as confused as I am

Compassion in World Farming have a compassionate shoppers' guide that explains all these labels, and what they mean about how the animal has been treated. It explains how to tell from the label whether the animal has been kept in a restricted environment, and if it has been given suitable food and bedding materials.

If your readers are interested in the welfare of farm animals I would recommend that they call the organisation for a copy. The number to ring is 01730 268863.

G M CRAIG

Mill House,

Osmotherley.

More thought

Sir, - On a recent Sunday (August 24) at 11.15pm a heavy bombardment was heard in the vicinity around Newby Wiske and I thought World War Three had begun in earnest.

I telephoned the police station at Northallerton about the noise at 11.20pm. I was informed me that they had no jurisdiction over noise, even though it sounded like a gun battle. The officer offered to give me the telephone number of the environmental health department, which I declined, as there would be no response until Tuesday. The fireworks (I assume that's what they were) continued until 11.45pm.

Maybe the people for whom the celebration display was organised had a wonderful time, but some people do retire before 11pm.

I am no prude or spoil-sport, but maybe a little more thoughtfulness on behalf on neighbours would have been acceptable and the display could have been from 9.30-10pm and we could have stood outside and enjoyed the display from a distance.

I have not bothered to contact the environmental health department.

JAMES WILKINSON

Newby Wiske,

Northallerton.