IT was with great misgiving that I read of Darlington Borough Council's plans to take over the newspaper collection in the town.

Treesavers is a wonderful organisation. They collect weekly and in all weather. The council says it would collect fortnightly, which is ludicrous. Presumably the paper collections would be delayed if there was inclement weather, too.

The whole idea is ridiculous. Treesavers is doing a splendid, efficient and very reliable job. Let them get on with it.

Darlington is a sad-looking town with its closed shops, its tatty shops and strange murals on High Row. Darlington is not the gateway to anywhere - it's the back door to hell!

A once fine town which has been ruined by complacent councils. I do not blame council workers for the deterioration. They have a thankless, very hard task, but they are ruled by a set of people who obviously live on another planet. - G Clarkson, Darlington.

COUNCIL TAX

COUNCILLOR John Williams, the leader of Darlington Borough Council, has confirmed the council tax for 2003 will be six per cent - an amount nearly three times that of inflation and substantially more than increases in working and retired people's incomes. He seems to think this is an achievement.

He accuses Conservatives of predicting council tax should be nine per cent or more, which it should be on the basis of his council's costs and reduced Labour Government subsidies.

He has played an electioneering card to artificially lower the tax to assist in him and his party to be re-elected in May. The townsfolk are not stupid and will see this trick for what its worth. - Charles Johnson, Darlington.

MY wage goes up by three per cent. My council tax goes up by six per cent, making me worse off. Darlington Council please take note, it will soon be May. - Tom Nicholson, Darlington.