WOULD I be correct in saying that on Teesside we have a Labour MP trying to find the possible whereabouts of missing public finance created by a Conservative quango?

While on Tyneside we have a Conservative mayor trying to clean up millions of overspend, being disrupted by Labour MPs and councillors who seem as keen as ever to spend money they have not got.

Dr Ashok Kumar MP, and Mayor Chris Morgan should both be applauded. You can't spend what you have not got. However, the public simply wants the brush to be swept equally in all directions.

Yes, by all means chase the money and then maybe ask about the Lancet report, countless ridiculous actions of local authorities, the billions wasted in Brussels etc.

The public fully realises, as a wealthy country, we have a duty to pay for the continued advancement in medicine, technology, care for the environment and the plight of others less fortunate.

Just for one moment think how much easier it would be if every last penny were truly accounted for. This is what we, the public should push for.

Firstly though, those in charge must truly lead by example. - Jim Tague, Chairman, Conservative Party, Bishop Auckland Branch.

Billingham

THE Renaissance of Stockton is to be top of the agenda at a forthcoming meeting (Echo August 17). It won't be long before huge amounts of money are announced for schemes to benefit the town.

My reaction to reading the article was, what about Billingham? The regeneration plans are still bogged down amid threats of money being lost or withdrawn from any possible scheme, in an effort to force residents to settle quickly for far less than they want or deserve.

Isn't it about time that Stockton took a real second place for a while until Billingham receives all the help, financial support and attention the town needs and should have. Stockton will not crumble away if it is left on the sideline for a year or two. Billingham is already crumbling and run down, through years of neglect.

Billingham needs action now.- EA Moralee, Billingham

FAME

THIS is an age when everyone seems keen for 15 minutes of fame, wrote Ray Mallon (Echo,Aug 16). No time for an inquisition, at least we letter writers - a bunch of egocentrics? - are watched over by those sub editors. There is none of this on live TV's news coverage.

Oh and I would not want my picture plastered above my column, were I a columnist ie something I don't fancy being, honestly.

Don't most folk either like or dislike somebody's kisser; we are all of us amateur physiognomists. And just how many times has policeman Ray Mallon used the highly contentious phrase 'He looks a wrong 'un.'? He might even think it of me if I sent him my picture. In brevity's name I shall stop here. In prolixity's name I could go on a lot more. - Alfred H. Lister, Guisborough.

SADDAM HUSSEIN

IN reply to Dean Clementson (HAS) ie his remarks on my claims that Saddam Hussein has no chemicals, left us way out of truth.

Iraq possesses the most lethal war chemicals in the world plus biological ones such as anthrax, gas, gangrene, Botulinum, plus nerve gas, mustard gas and others. Why if he is no threat to the world does he have them?

Make no mistake Mr Clementson, this man is evil and runs his country by fear, he has murdered and had thousands of Kurds poisoned by gas in his own country as recently as 1998. And as regards to Mr Clementson's own words, "Where is the threat"? The answer is simple, Saddam Hussein.

I had five and a half years of my life in the last war and people should remember that millions were killed by an evil man called Hitler throughout Europe and thanks to Winston Churchill and the spirit of the nation, we were saved, when other nations had suffered.

We should thank America that we have a good friend who realise what a danger Iraq presents to world peace. You don't beat violence by appeasement, just look what Mugabe is doing in Zimbabwe and Jack Straw tried to bribe him with millions. - F Wealands, Darlington.

ANIMAL SNARES

RE Dying for the right to survive (Echo July 29).

I have lived out in the country all of my life. My greatest pleasure has always been to see and hear the wildlife around me and their way of coping in every season never ceases to amaze me.

Why should anything be controlled by man mainly for some to be shot anyway before their lives have barely begun.

Leave them all alone, they are cleverer than man by far.

It is most unfair how many are trapped and there is far too much suffering and killing in this way to constitute control, mainly for gain ie money and pleasure. - Brenda Scragg, Bishop Auckland.