AS I sat watching the news, I thought what was this world coming to? Strikes, muggings, murders, drugs, bombs.

Firemen should never strike. Will they feel any guilt at all when they hear of the tragedies that will happen?

What about all the dirt that comes out about people on TV? It is all for money, and money is the root of all evil.

My father is 82 years of age and never goes out of the house. His door is locked all the time. I feel for him and all of the pensioners having to live in this sad, sick world of today. I am really frightened, and I am half my father's age. That says something doesn't it? - Name and address supplied.

YOU report without comment (Echo, Nov 13) that only one in ten of County Durham's full-time fire fighters is on shift at any one time - no wonder recruitment is easy! I suppose that's why the Fire Brigades Union refused to co-operate with the inquiry, its main error so far, apart from the ridiculous insistence on an obviously impossible 40 per cent increase.

However, I think the Government also made an error by not making more of the 11 per cent pay offer immediately rather than delaying most of it until next year. The difference in final cost would have been small compared to the likely economic loss to the nation of the strike - not to mention possibly horrifying human costs. - J Hawgood, Durham.

FIREWORKS

I WAS wondering if you could print a very large front page thank-you to all those thoughtless people who had fireworks parties on every day of the week from mid-October to way past November 10.

I am not a killjoy. I love the fair, fireworks and parties. Fireworks are part of our heritage and should not be banned or outlawed.

However, I am a pet owner and my dog has a nervous disposition. She needs drugs to calm her down, but I accept that on bonfire Saturday and bonfire night this must be done.

But on Sunday, November 10, there were yet more loud fireworks and my dog, which was in the garden, became distressed and frightened and ran into a corner and gashed her leg.

Perhaps the people who were letting off fireworks would care to pay for my dog to be seen by the vet and for someone to come in and clean the carpet where the blood fell.

I dare say these people will wish to welcome in the New Year in a similar manner. It may be an idea if they gave some consideration to others because if given a chance I, for one, would vote to outlaw fireworks. - Mrs YA Jobling, Northallerton.

I AGREE with Sheila McLaren (HAS, Nov 11) about fireworks. I also had a horrendous few weeks leading up to November 5. The fireworks were louder than ever this year. My dog just lay shivering constantly with fear.

This should not happen in a residential area. Please can we have fireworks displays only? - N Brigham, Durham.

ROYAL FAMILY

THE Queen let the Burrell case continue because she mistakenly thought that Burrell was about to hit the fan. But she acted to stop it when she realised that the outcome would be devastating for herself and the rest of her motley crew.

It shows that the justice system is an ass, that the police are as inept as a Pink Panther Peter Sellers movie and the Royal Family can be more entertaining than the plot of EastEnders.

Burrell should sue the police, the Queen should be in contempt of court and made to pay all costs and George Lucas should do a film called Return of the Truth, the Whole Truth and Nothing But the Truth. - Jim Nunn, Carrville, Durham.

YOUR front page picture of the Queen at the Cenotaph (Echo, Nov 12) was spoilt by the rest of the article. What a shame you had to refer to Paul Burrell in the same paragraph.

With all that Remembrance Day means, surely he did not warrant front page coverage.

As a "rock" I think the one in Gibraltar is more sound. - J Rutter, Richmond.

THE NORTH-EAST

RAY Mallon's article (Echo, Nov 1) sounds like the 'them and us' syndrome.

I was born in the North-East and wouldn't move south except perhaps for the weather. However, there are parts of the south I like very much. I'm sorry it took Mr Mallon so long to drive to London (perhaps he should try flying from Teesside), and if his hotel and car parking was pricey, couldn't he put it on his expenses if it was a business trip?

He must know the cost of living has always been more expensive in the south, hence the higher salaries.

As for Londoners being ignorant about this part of the world, the same can be said in reverse of some northerners. My husband is London-born, spent his youth in Berkshire and Buckinghamshire and has been called 'posh' because his vowels are round and mine are flat.

He was discussing the wet weather down south one year and someone said: "It serves you right for voting Conservative." How ignorant.

There is litter, and discourteous people, all over the country. Richmond in Surrey is great and so is Richmond in North Yorkshire. The Transporter Bridge is a gem but "majestic"? Never, even when it's working. - Maureen Brighten, Darlington.

RICHMOND

HAVING heard all four presentations by bidders for the Old Station in Richmond, we think that there are various aspects that should be considered before the decision is made. We feel Richmond council should keep control of the building and that it should either adopt a leasing policy for the building or let the local community buy the property through a trust.

We fear that the building could be bought quite cheaply, but could then be sold on later and then all the issues about a suitable use for this valuable asset would arise again.

Richmond needs the building to be put to a proper use: one which would be used regularly by locals and yet attract tourists to this beautiful town. - CJ Hillyard, Richmond.