I AM becoming increasingly frustrated to keep reading letters about how bad a place Darlington is to live in.

If some of the comments are to be believed, we live in a town that has ridiculously high council tax, the streets are strewn with litter, the roads are in a state of disrepair and council services are poor.

Well, the Darlington that I live in has considerably lower council tax than its neighbours and, in fact, lower than most of the country.

The roads are in good condition, with some excellent recent improvements to appearance and traffic calming.

Litter is not significant and where there are litter problems we have the new council strategy to address this.

We benefit from CCTV, a great theatre and sports facilities in the Dolphin Centre and other council facilities. The list could go on and on.

I take pride in the great town that I live in. It is about time that we acknowledged the positive aspects of Darlington.

Maybe this will help the local economy instead of putting people off coming here by portraying the town badly. Let's see more positive letters. - Andrew Scott, Darlington.

TREE SAVERS

I HEARTILY agree with those concerned about the demise of the Tree Savers Scheme.

It has always been a reliable, neat and tidy service in the past and it seems pretty stupid to replace it with a service of once a fortnight instead of once a week.

I would ask someone on the council with financial authority to rethink its policy and let us keep the reliable service. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. - Sylvia Wall, Darlington.

DOG FOULING

WHY doesn't Darlington Council take a leaf out of Newcastle City Council's book (Echo, Feb 24) and get tougher with dog fouling fines.

I live on a corner which, for whatever reason, is notorious for people allowing their dogs to foul the pavement. It is absolutely disgusting.

As long as it is not near their own property it does not matter about anything else.

The worst offenders are the late-night walkers - when they know they cannot be seen. How would they like it trodden in on their carpets? I think not.

Also let us not forget the plastic carrier bag brigade - tied in a knot, full of dog dirt and thrown into any gutter or bush. Too lazy to take to the nearest doggy bin provided. - Ann Lea, Darlington.

COUNCIL TAX

I READ with interest Tom Nicholson's and Charles Johnson's letters (HAS, Feb 17). Both compared the proposed six per cent increase on Darlington's council tax with increases in wages. Comparing just the percentage is misleading.

Tom said his wage increase was three per cent. I don't know what his wage is, but if it is £15,000 a year, his three per cent increase will give him £450 per year.

Band A council tax in Darlington this year is £622 making a six per cent increase under £40.

I think Tom is wrong to say the council tax increase wipes out his wage increase. - Bill Holmes, Darlington.