I MUST take issue with comments (HAS, Nov 6) which were critical of recent BBC comedy offerings, comparing these programmes to the so- called "Golden Age" of British TV comedy.

I, for one, would agree that shows like Dads Army, Fawlty Towers and Monty Python's Flying Circus do stand the test of time, but surely shows like The Office, The League of Gentlemen, Alan Partridge etc are their natural descendants, reflecting a modern society and all it stands for.

It is true that these programmes are popular now for the very reason that people can relate to the situations and identify the cultural references they make, but for me it is the creation of the "larger than life" characters themselves that set them apart and lead to classic comedy status.

David Brent may not be a member of the Home Guard but his pomposity, vanity, and general desire to be admired and respected by everyone reflect the traits for which Captain Mainwaring became a comedy classic.

The circumstances and language may have changed and perhaps the audience too, but that should not prevent us from appreciating talented writing and brilliant performances. - S Masterman, Redcar.

OVER the past couple of weeks Angus Deayton has been the butt of people's jokes on the programme because he was a 'naughty' boy.

He was sacked by the BBC because he brought too much adverse publicity to the programme. It was okay when it was politicians who were being ridiculed.

John Leslie also got sacked because of the hoo-ha he started getting in connection with a book.

Please tell me why Dog Eat Dog has not been removed from the scheduled of BBC programmes? There is something smelling at the bottom of the garden. - ME Harrison, Darlington.

FIREWORKS DISPLAY

YOU show an excellent photo of the Saturday's fireworks display in Darlington (Echo, Nov 4).

What you don't show is a photo of the park the day after, ankle deep in mud and ruts from the many vehicles required to set up and dismantle the show.

This will take many weeks or months to repair. - AR Tatman, Darlington

POSH v POSH

VICTORIA Beckham wishes to oppose the right of Peterborough United FC to register its 68-year-old nickname Posh as a trademark for her own commercial reasons (Echo, Nov 6).

Actually, I would have thought that Peterborough UFC would have no case to answer on this.

In any event it appears that the first recorded usage of the word Posh derives from Port Out Starboard Home, these being the coolest sides of the P&O ships sailing to and from British India in the early part of the 20th Century and thus indicated that one was travelling in some style. - Bryan Johnston, Eaglescliffe.

UNITED STATES

PETER Troy (HAS, Oct 29) is correct when he writes of a debt of gratitude to America.

But such a debt is no different than that owed to the millions of non-Americans from Commonwealth, non-Commonwealth and neutral countries who also helped Britain during the Second World War, nor any different from the debt that Britain owes to other nations for its culture, language and identity.

Since the Second World War ended 57 years ago Britain has given almost unconditional support for American foreign policies, many of which border on war crimes against humanity.

This raises the question of at what point will this debt be considered as repaid or will it continue to be until it becomes a whipping stick for generations to come? - CT Riley, Spennymoor.

ABORTION

I DON'T write as someone who knows all the facts and I will not judge those with difficult choice, but I am so saddened by the loss of precious lives.

Abortion is in effect getting rid of a baby, a human. If a planned baby is miscarried it is mourned and grieves as a lost baby. Why does an aborted baby get the convenient tag of foetus?

Your article stated that women's knowledge and understanding of abortion was extremely limited. Sadly, general knowledge of the after effects is also limited and even more of a social taboo.

Yes, this is an emotionally charged subject, but to proudly write that last year over three quarters of a million babies were aborted and then to state that getting abortions should be made easier, is tragic and shameful.

Please, Christen Pears (Echo, Oct 23) now write an article on life. - C Armstrong, Northallerton.

WAR ON TERRORISM

PETE Winstanley derides Peter Mullen (HAS, Oct 28) and says killing terrorists is not the solution.

Perhaps he should tell us what is the answer to religious fanatics bent on suicide and taking as many innocent lives with them as they can.

They also deliberately hide among women and children so, that it is impossible to arrest them without children being in the line of fire, for propaganda purposes.

Maybe Mr Winstanley won't be content until the Israelis are driven once again from their homeland and become once more a stateless people. Is this what he wants since he derides Peter Mullen's solution, but fails to tell us of a proper workable alternative. - A Williams, Stockton.

MP'S PAY

IT is just impossible to think that the people who are supposed to represent us can vote themselves another pay rise, a three-day week, more holidays and let OAPs be kicked out of care homes.

Gordon Brown says there will be a black hole in public finances. Well, how can Tony Blair allow these scrounging MPs to vote themselves such increases? - F Wealands, Darlington.