METRIC MARTYR: PRIME Minister Tony Blair has proved that he is a supporter of the Metric Martyrs' Campaign.

Speaking at the European Union summit in Copenhagen, challenging his wife's critics to take their claims to the proper authorities or shut up, he proved yet again that he was a closet imperialist "...I think that everyone's had their pound of flesh and now it's time to move on."

He did not, as advised by his own Department of Trade and Industry officials, offer the metric equivalent. He should have said: "...454grammes equivalent to a pound of flesh."

Nice to know that the Government is finally bowing to public pressure. - Neil Herron, Sunderland.

FIRE DISPUTE

DOES cutting the number of firefighters, fire stations and appliances really make sense?

Over the years the number of calls that the fire service have responded to has increased by 78 per cent. Fires are still on the increase, although fire deaths have decreased, (which might just be something to do with the Community Fire Safety Schemes that firefighters have been doing for the past seven years). Fires caused by arson are now more and more common.

The population is growing at record rates with the most at risk from fire - the elderly and young - at their highest numbers ever.

Housing estates are being built on every free bit of land, with towns and cities becoming more compact and overcrowded.

There is more and more traffic on our poorly managed and maintained roads, there are not surprisingly far more road traffic accidents, the railway networks are a mess with a serious risk of further incidents, there are more special emergencies, chemical spills, risk of aircraft incidents (as the skies are as cramped as the land). Not surprisingly, the number of Special Service Incidents that the fire service has attended has increased by 98 per cent.

There is international insecurity with the increasing risk of terrorist attack.

The Government is doing a very good job of pulling the wool over the public's eyes and convincing them that a reduced, smaller fire service could well cope with the vastly increased demands of today's society. They couldn't be further from the truth. The fire service is already over-stretched, under-funded and under-paid. - Dave Ibbertson, Darlington.

CHERIE BLAIR

I SUPPOSE that after five-and-a-half years in power, the recent comments attributed to the local representative of the official opposition to Her Majesty's Government regarding Cherie Blair (HAS, Dec 14) should be taken as a back-handed compliment to our Labour Government.

It is a measure of the increasing desperation of the Opposition that it tries to make political gain out of the personal misfortunes of Cherie Blair. In effect, Mrs Blair has been duped by an apparent conman, no more no less. The only hint of political skulduggery and Government wrong-doing is purely in the minds of an increasingly ineffective Opposition and its supporters in the media.

Most fair-minded people see this sorry incident for what it really is - a purely private affair.

For the suggestion of "sleaze" by the Tories begs the old cliche: "Those in glass houses...." The electorate is well aware that the term "sleaze in politics" was of course invented to describe the business of last Tory government. - Mark Citrone, York.

BLACK & DECKER

R THOMPSON (HAS, Dec 9) shows a remarkable sense of fair play in defence of Black & Decker and the multi-nationals.

A perusal of Black & Decker's antecedents will show that it is not only Spennymoor workers who have been kicked in the teeth. This company has shown other gestures of goodwill in Italy (1993) and Germany (1995).

It is not people who criticise these companies who are putting the boot in. Working people know only too well who wears the steel toe-capped boots. - NA Button, Bishop Auckland.

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

ONCE again the spirit of Christmas seems to have by-passed Bishop Auckland.

Having recently visited the so-called town centre, I could not fail to notice the lack of any Christmas lights adorning shop fronts, other than a few Christmas trees every 200 metres.

If this is the token effort of a town the size of Bishop Auckland, then perhaps a fact-finding trip to Staindrop may provide the answer for the future.

Why is it that other cities, towns and even villages manage to adorn their centres with the most beautiful, eye-catching decorations, but our town cannot?

Is it down to council mismanagement of council tax that we have once again been let down?

Please enlighten me as to why. - D Allison, Bishop Auckland.

HELP THE AGED

HELP the Aged is looking for friends in North Yorkshire. We have a committee here that is extremely busy organising fun fundraising activities where the money is spent locally to better the lives of older people in the area.

If any of you would like to help in any way, whether to have a coffee morning, do a parachute jump, arrange a wine-tasting evening or whatever takes your fancy, I would love to hear from you.

Everyone, young or old, with little time to spare or lots, is welcome on board as a volunteer. I can be reached on (01772) 715564 or emailed at barbara.harrishelptheaged.org.uk. - Barbara Harris, Committee Coordinator, Help The Aged, North Yorkshire.